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Anthony Mackie has climbed his way in Hollywood, filling the shoes of Chris Evans and becoming the new Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as featuring in critically acclaimed projects likeBlack Mirror, The Banker, Synchronic, andThe Adjustment Bureau. Long before his well-known role as the Falcon, the actor featured in a project by one of the most well-respected individuals in the film industry, Clint Eastwood.
Mackie appeared inMillion Dollar Baby, an Oscar-winning classic that has been described by many as a masterpiece. The film was released long before the actor’s rise to fame, which would make many think that he had an amazing time being on the set of such a large-scale project with so many big names. This, however, was not the case as Mackie ended up having to endure quite a lot of physical violence at the hands of another extremely well-recognized and respected actor, Morgan Freeman.
Also Read:“I almost killed Anthony Mackie”: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Actress Nearly Decapitated MCU Star With an Axe
Anthony Mackie Was Beaten Up By Morgan Freeman
Anthony Mackiehad a very small role in Clint Eastwood’sMillion Dollar Baby, playing the role of a boxer named Shawrelle Berry. For this role, the actor was required to get badly beaten up by another character named Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris, the narrator of the film as well as the opener of a boxing match in Los Angeles. The character in question was played by Morgan Freeman.
“He kicked my a*s!He punched me. In. The. Face. He’s a mean old dude.”
During an interview withThe Guardian, Mackie looked back on this, reminiscing on the memory with humor. He talked about how the film made him get badly beaten up byThe Shawshank Redemptionactor, with him even getting punched in the face. the actor also talked about how he found this aspect extremely ironic, considering how much older Freeman was from him and the fact that he was the one getting hurt.
Also Read:“It’s still something we flirt with”: Captain America Actor Anthony Mackie Wants to Revive Hugh Jackman’s $299M Movie Like Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious Franchise in the Future
Anthony Mackie Then Went On To Idealize Him
One would expect Anthony Mackie to get spiteful after this incident and possess sour feelings towards Morgan Freeman. This, however, was not the case at all, as the actor revealed toThe Guardianthat the Oscar-winning actor shared some deeply insightful words that stuck with him to this day. He elaborated on this, stating that he was extremely confused between two jobs, concerned about whether he should pick the one that would pay him more or give him a better experience.
“When Hollywood wants you they’ll come get you,’ he said. ‘And when they come get you they’ll pay for you. But right now, work on your craft.’ And I did the play and subsequently every job I take I think back to that. I’ve got those words printed out and stuck on my wall.”
It was here that Freeman told him that the film industry would be waiting for him when his time came with a job that would pay him extremely well. Until then, he should focus on the projects that would help him learn the most rather than the ones that would pay more. Mackie confessed that these words have stuck with him for a very long time, so much so that he got these words printed out and put them up on his wall. He also thinks about this every time he picks a new project.
Also Read:British-Nigerian Actor Who Co-Starred in Anthony Mackie’s Netflix Movie Giving Henry Cavill Tough Competition in James Bond Race
Ananya Godboley
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2219
Ananya Godboley is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows, with over 2,000 articles published. She has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology from K.R. Mangalam University, Ananya also likes to fangirl as a full-time job. She covers news and analyses on anything from Rick and Morty to Hannibal and even Arcane. In between these lines, she also enjoys superheroes and Taylor Swift.A philosophy enthusiast, Ananya enjoys digging deeper into the media she consumes, trying to understand the root of her favorite characters' behavior.
