“Captain America: Brave New World” puts Sam Wilson from Anthony Mackie in the center of the Marvel cinematographic universe as the first Captain America Black. Joining Mackie on his innovative trip is Carl Lumbly, who left his own historical brand as a black superhero three decades ago.
Lumbly co -starring Isaiah Bradley, a supersoldista who is the only survivor of a vicious government experiment that claimed the lives of 300 black soldiers. The veteran actor previously played Bradley in the 2021 Disney+ “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” series, set after Wilson, also known as Falcon, was presented to Captain América's Shield.
In the new film, which opened on Friday and is located at the top of the holiday weekend box office, Bradley has settled in a quiet life as owner of a boxing gym. But his life overturned when he activates to kill the president of the United States, Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford).
The paper is juicy for Lumbly, who caused an impression when he starred in Fox's drama in 1994 “Mantis”, becoming the first black TV superhero.
The crime fighter was the alter ego of Dr. Miles Hawkins, a brilliant biophysicist who was paralyzed after receiving a shot during an urban riot while saving a child. After the tragedy, Hawkins developed an exoskeleton that allowed him to leave his wheelchair.
Like Mantis, Hawkins could run with lightning speed, jump on cars and throw criminals on the air with ease. I was equipped with a high -tech vehicle that could fly and go underwater.
While Lumbly has enjoyed a long and varied race, including its outstanding shift as a field operation Marcus Dixon in ABC's thriller “aka”, he said that there are two roles that seem to stand out for fans.
“Since I have been in the MCU, many people approach and tell me how proud they are,” said Lumbly, adding with abundant laugh, “and then there are many people who remember 'Mantis'”
The Fox series lasted only one, controversy season. After the pilot episode was issued, several months before its official premiere, co-creators Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead” and “Spider-Man”) and Sam Hamm were fired, along with four black support characters.
The new producers were accused of racism by a defense group and two members of the pilot's cast, who complained that the diversity of the cast had been reduced and that the tone of the series changed radically from the pilot to dismiss the black identity and attract more white spectators.
For his part, “Brave New World” reaches an uncertain political moment for Hollywood. While executives of many studies, including Disney, seek to draw a neutral course, the Trump administration has accelerated their attacks against initiatives for diversity, equity and inclusion, and scrutiny of television movies and series and the talent behind them remains so high as usual. Some conservatives already criticized Mackie for the comments about Captain America's character, while others have criticized the film as too “awakened” or criticized the perceived parallels between Ross and Trump.
In a telephone interview, Lumbly addressed his interpretation of Bradley, the response politically charged to “Brave New World” and the continuous legacy of “Mantis”
Anthony Mackie, on the left, Danny Ramírez and Carl Lumbly in “Captain America: Brave New World”.
(Marvel Studios)
How has it been part of Marvel's cinematographic universe?
A joy. I love this character and what it represents. I love that it exists in the MCU. Its history is based on certain actions officially taken by the government that ended in serious, serious and serious consequences for a group of black men who had enlisted to improve the country but were deceived and betrayed. Isaiah is the unique survivor. But of all that, survives the names of those who were slaughtered so brutally. It is a brutal story but also a privilege of receiving this task. I received it in “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” and I could not be happier to continue in this movie.
How has it been to work with Anthony?
He is such a wonderful actor, and now I have experienced how great leader he is. But it is also very fun. There is a lot of joy in the way Anthony does things. He requires people not only to have a good time, but also feel included. He is operating with his open heart.
I am interested in his reaction when he learned that Isaiah will try to kill the president.
That was complicated [Laughs]. Isaiah, being in the world again, was so full of caution. After being recognized for his contribution in “the Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” he thought he could return to a kind of normality. He feels that the world that Sam sees is one in which he wants to believe, but he is not sure he can. He gets his boxing gym and is free in the world. One would think that he would not give up that for an act of revenge or some correct imagined of the error. My first impression was that it is a bit impossible to play and treat. But if possible, how would it look?
So what do you do with comparisons between the film and the political climate in the country?
The parallels that people can see did not exist when the film was written or filmed. These things have emerged at the same time as the film, or the film has emerged as a way of talking about what we find in the world at this time. It is almost like Alchemy, the moment of history that coincides with the time of our film.
What do you think is the meaning?
There is the title “Brave New World”. I care less than we transgress, that we turn to or fall prey to our minor angels. It is more important that we address what is real, what is true and then advance with the knowledge that there is much of what to fear, but that we are moving forward anyway. I think that's what this movie says. There is much about this film that talks about love, compassion and empathy.
All those who see “Captain America: Brave New World” will take their own movie to return to their heads. The “Captain America” that I saw that I am extremely proud, and gives me hope at a time that I want to feel hope. The idea of the connection is that we join with our fears and be brave enough to be connected.
I also want to talk about “Mantis”, are you surprised that it has caused such an impression that people still remember the program?
The audience of that day feels something that hit them. Realizing that this happened is really surprising and rewarding. I know that Mantis and Isaiah have valued points in my file.
What do you think is the legacy of that character?
Mantis, Isaiah and Sam Wilson come from love, and do not necessarily have to do it. There are many reasons for not. But if what happened to them, changed, destroyed, imprisoned, denied, did not reach that piece in his heart that contained his love. They knew they could resist anything. There is no hatred in your heart. Hate is succumbing. He is giving away the power you have.
