In the midst of Anthony Mackie facing backlash as new Captain America, Carl Lumbly, a prominent actor involved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has voiced his strong disapproval of those who reject Sam Wilson’s rightful position as Captain America. The ongoing controversy, ignited when Steve Rogers handed Sam Wilson the shield in Avengers: Endgame, continues to divide a section of the MCU fanbase, with persistent debate and criticism targeting both the character and Mackie himself.
Carl Lumbly, who portrays Isaiah Bradley in both Captain America: Brave New World and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, has addressed this backlash with candid remarks, highlighting that not everyone is willing to accept the new direction. Drawing from his personal history, Lumbly offered an impassioned critique of the negativity surrounding Sam Wilson’s tenure as Captain America, using his own life and family experiences as context for his views.
Carl Lumbly’s Response to Resistance Against the New Captain America
During an interview with Michael Winn Johnson at Reel School, Carl Lumbly was asked about the resistance that Anthony Mackie and his character Sam Wilson have faced as he steps into the mantle of Captain America. Lumbly directly addressed the question by linking his own experiences as an American to Sam Wilson’s story, referring to the values enshrined in the United States Constitution and how his family exemplified these ideals despite personal challenges.
“It’s an excellent question and I don’t know what I would say. I guess I would speak to my experience of living in this country as a person with skin like Sam, as an individual who, like Isaiah [Bradley], wants to be, and believes he is, part of ‘We the people,’ and that these ideals, which drew my parents from a small island to come to this country at a time when those those principles were under challenge, they came, and they made a difference, not only because of who they were, and what they did, but what they encouraged people all around them to do including those who were more melanin-challenged.”
—Carl Lumbly, Actor
Lumbly expanded on how his family’s journey to America during a period of substantial social and political struggle shaped his outlook. Their contributions, despite facing the odds as immigrants, inspired not only their own community but reached those from different backgrounds, bridging gaps and motivating others to embrace diversity within the American identity.
Calling Out Denial and Obsession Over Exclusion
The actor continued in his critique, identifying what he sees as an unhealthy obsession within segments of American society to deny uncomfortable truths that should unite, rather than divide, citizens. Lumbly described the persistence of this denial as irrational and deeply damaging, drawing parallels between social delusion and real-life dangers.
“I would say it runs the continuum from madness to silliness to be as obsessed as this republic continues to be about denying a truth that makes us all brothers and sisters and I don’t have any interest in delusion nor do many, many black people, who live a certain kind of reality. Perhaps those individuals who feel such fear are worried about their safety, but the fact that other people are not safe does not make you more safe. Unfortunate if you can’t embrace it, but it’s reality.”
—Carl Lumbly, Actor
Lumbly underscored the disconnect between fearing change and the reality that denying inclusion only deepens insecurity and division. By explicitly referencing both the nation’s history and current attitudes, the actor conveyed his frustration with those unwilling to recognize or accept diverse realities within American life.
Confronting the Social Costs of Exclusion
To further illustrate the effects of denial and resistance to change, Carl Lumbly offered an analogy involving personal safety, comparing the consequences of ignoring reality to stepping blindly into danger. He acknowledged the real harm suffered by marginalized populations and the broader repercussions for society when opportunity and dignity are withheld from entire communities.
“That’s why you look both ways before you cross a busy freeway, because you may feel you’re invincible, but there’s a reality that if you know a vehicle moving at 65 miles an hour if it strikes you, and you’re going to resist, you will be gone. It makes no sense. I don’t want to see anyone hurt, but I am definitely tired of the kind of hurt that the dispossessed, and the poor, and the marginalized communities in this republic go through, because it reduces the great potential that exists within our body politic, within our society.”
—Carl Lumbly, Actor
His words highlighted the compounded effect of widespread hardship among disadvantaged groups, arguing that such pain diminishes the overall strength and promise of the nation. Lumbly’s remarks reflected a broader concern about lost opportunities and ongoing injustice.
Analyzing the Root of Opposition to Sam Wilson’s Captain America
Delving into the mindset of those critical of Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of Sam Wilson, Lumbly suggested that fear, rather than well-reasoned disagreement, is at the core of the backlash. He addressed this segment of the fanbase directly, suggesting that those unwilling to accept the change are operating from a place of denial rather than informed opinion.
“So, I would say to them, be where you are… I don’t believe you can be forced into a different position, but you’re not seeing reality as I know it and I’m sorry for you. Perhaps you should go talk to someone or… what’s that wonderful phrase… ‘Speak amongst yourselves,’ because I think those individuals share something in common with the other individuals who can’t accept it, and I think it’s fear.”
—Carl Lumbly, Actor
Lumbly acknowledged the difficulty in changing entrenched perspectives but made it clear he saw their inability to embrace the new Captain America as rooted in personal apprehensions rather than rational resistance. He implied that, ultimately, this fear harms both individuals and the broader society.
The Ongoing Journey of Sam Wilson and Anthony Mackie in the MCU
Despite the controversy, Marvel Studios and actor Anthony Mackie remain confident in Sam Wilson’s place as Captain America. Since taking up the shield, Mackie has faced criticism but both he and Marvel Studios have continued to press forward, maintaining their commitment to representation and the evolution of the franchise.
Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is set to appear in upcoming MCU installments, including Avengers: Doomsday, marking a continued presence for the new Captain America within the cinematic universe. The character was also referenced in the newly released Thunderbolts*, a development that suggests future storylines will further explore Sam Wilson’s relationships and potential conflicts within the franchise.
Alongside Mackie and Lumbly, Captain America: Brave New World features a cast that includes Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, Danny Ramirez portraying Joaquin Torres, and Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph. The film continues to deepen the MCU’s exploration of legacy, leadership, and belonging through an evolving roster of characters connected to both Steve Rogers’ legacy and Sam Wilson’s present challenges.
For fans anticipating further appearances, it is likely that Sam Wilson will be integral to the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars, cementing Anthony Mackie’s continued role at the center of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years to come. Lumbly himself has commented on the future of his character, Isaiah Bradley, hinting at further developments and the ongoing relevance of these stories.
Understanding the Weight of Representation and Acceptance
The discourse ignited by Anthony Mackie facing backlash as new Captain America reflects larger questions about inclusion, identity, and the evolving narrative of heroism in American media. Carl Lumbly’s outspoken criticism of the negative reaction to Sam Wilson’s leadership as Captain America reveals a persistent struggle between tradition and progress, between exclusion and community.
The story of Sam Wilson, as interpreted by Anthony Mackie and affirmed by Carl Lumbly, serves as both a symbol of changing attitudes and a continuation of the debate over who gets to represent America’s ideals. The impact of this transition within the MCU ripples far beyond fiction, influencing conversations about representation and acceptance in wider society, and challenging both fans and the broader audience to confront their assumptions and fears.
As the MCU continues to evolve, the presence of actors like Mackie, Lumbly, and their fellow cast members suggests a future where the meaning of Captain America is not limited to a single individual, but represents an ever-broadening vision of who belongs at the heart of the national story. The unresolved tension, frustration, and pain reflected in Carl Lumbly’s words underscore the ongoing journey toward understanding, acceptance, and shared purpose among all communities deeply invested in both fictional icons and real-world change.
