Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Episode: MARVEL STARS: Anthony Mackie on Becoming Captain America and ‘Twisted Metal’
Release Date: December 13, 2025
Guest: Anthony Mackie (actor, “Captain America”, “Twisted Metal”)
Host: Willie Geist

Episode Overview

This episode features a relaxed and lively conversation between Willie Geist and Anthony Mackie, set in a New York City basement gaming lounge, Coexist Game House. Mackie discusses his journey from his New Orleans upbringing to Juilliard, breaking into Hollywood with "8 Mile," and taking up the mantle of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The discussion also covers fatherhood, Mackie’s family, and his role in the hit show “Twisted Metal.” Throughout, Mackie’s wit, self-awareness, and pride in his hometown shine through.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Setting the Scene

Time: 04:11–05:21

• Geist and Mackie conduct the interview sitting across a classic Street Fighter video game table, which sparks nostalgic banter and jokes about arcade machines.
  • Mackie on arcade repairs:

    “Once...because invariably they will break. Getting them fixed is the hard part. That dude is in Boca chilling out.” (04:21–04:39)

2. ‘Twisted Metal’ and Video Game Adaptations

Time: 05:43–11:43

• Mackie describes his “Twisted Metal” character, John Doe, and the show’s evolution for season two.
  • On his character’s predicament:

    “John Doe is a free spirit. He’s a nomad, he’s a roamer. So he’s trying to figure out...what his next step is to being happy.” (06:05–06:58)

• The show’s mix of humor, violence, and 90s/00s pop culture touchstones (Cannonball Run, Running Man, Hunger Games) is discussed.
• The challenges and creative freedom in adapting a video game without an established narrative.
  • “We had the pleasure and the ability to design this world around these characters however we wanted.” (09:36–10:31)
• Mackie observes the enduring appeal of video game adaptations and the nostalgia they spark for multiple generations.
  • “We have to understand the power of, and the nostalgic nature of entertainment...it was always that communal meeting place.” (10:44–11:32)

3. Balancing Career and Fatherhood

Time: 11:43–16:07

• Mackie reflects on choosing projects that impress his kids, like “Twisted Metal.”
  • “If my kids like it, I’m the golden goose, you know.” (12:02–12:56)
• Playful conversation about his sons’ indifference to his work—even to his role as Captain America—and the chaos of family movie outings.
  • On the Captain America trailer premiering before “Sonic the Hedgehog”:

    “I look up, I hear my voice, I look up, and it’s the Captain America trailer...Not one of them look up. Come on.” (13:23–15:27)

  • Mackie’s comedic frustration with snacks (popcorn, cheese, Raisinets, and sour worms) piling up at the movies with his four boys.

4. Origins: New Orleans to Juilliard

Time: 17:46–24:18

• Mackie details his non-arts background and how a second-grade puppet show ignited his passion.
  • On his start:

    “I was an inquisitive kid. And if you give an inquisitive kid a puppet...Give me a task. Wow. I am a task master.” (18:09–19:00)

• Family strongly valued education and supported his pursuits, expecting him to master whatever path he chose.
  • “It wasn’t so much that I wanted to be an actor...it was more so that I...was focusing on being the best of whatever it is you wanted to be.” (21:47–22:50)
• Mackie humorously recounts his string of childhood passions—from paleontology to archaeology.
  • “If you know one thing about an old black man, he proud of his grass. So if he come in the yard and he just find a hole...it was bad.” (23:37–23:56)

5. Early Career: Theater to ‘8 Mile’

Time: 24:18–31:05

• Getting to Juilliard, then working in NY theater, led to his breakout role in “8 Mile.”
  • “If I could make $200 a week, I’m good...That’s how my math worked living in New York at the time.” (24:33–24:33)
• A school production about Tupac yielded a pivotal casting connection when Curtis Hanson—the director of “8 Mile”—saw Mackie perform.
  • “Curtis Hansen was doing 8 Mile at the time. And the biggest question...was: how do these Juilliard kids know so much about hip hop?” (28:18–28:37)

6. ‘8 Mile’: Behind the Scenes of the Rap Battle

Time: 32:38–37:45

• Mackie reveals “Papa Doc” was originally a small part; director Curtis Hanson expanded it as filming progressed.
  • “Papa Doc was only like four lines. I was only supposed to be there for like a week. And Curtis kept adding stuff and building the character.” (33:09–33:36)
• Anecdotes about learning what per diem was and the collaborative, youthful energy on set.
• Mackie jokes about writing his own epic battle rap and campaigning for “Papa Doc” to have a bigger moment.
  • “I had the illest rap ever written...It would have been dismantlement.” (35:15–36:09)
• The specificity of Eminem’s “Cranbrook” dig, and the difference between real and “fancy” private schools.
  • “If you ever have the chance, go to Detroit, Michigan and drive to Cranbrook. That is not a high school. That is a full-fledged five star university campus.” (36:26–37:26)

7. Joining the Marvel Universe

Time: 37:57–42:22

• Mackie recounts his behind-the-scenes campaign for “Black Panther,” only to be cast as Sam Wilson/Falcon.
• Vivid description of the cryptic Marvel casting meeting—his nerves, LA oddities, and experiencing sparkling water for the first time.
  • “They asked me the biggest question of my life—still or sparkling? From New Orleans? I don’t know what sparkling water is. I was like...give me sparkling water. My throat was on fire.” (40:16–41:36)
• Marvel's boldness in integrating his character into Captain America’s storyline, and Stan Lee’s views on Sam Wilson’s significance.

8. Life as Captain America and Global Fame

Time: 42:22–45:24

• Mackie discusses the weight and complexity of Marvel-level international fame—being both admired and targeted.
  • “Like every blessing is a curse...The biggest thing for me is just, you know, I get to, like, brag to my kids...Dad first and superhero second.” (42:48–44:19)
• Living in New Orleans—where even hometown fame doesn’t earn him perks, except for one free fishing charter.
  • “I don’t even get like free appetizers at restaurants...The biggest thing...I got a free fishing charter after my movie came out...That’s it. 25 years of work for a free fishing charter.” (44:29–45:29)

9. Memorable Quotes & Humor

• On fatherhood:

  “Even Captain America can’t bring him around.” – Willie Geist (13:23–13:25)

• On growing up:

  “I thought I was going to be a paleontologist...Dinosaurs gotta eat crawfish. They gotta be dinosaurs in New Orleans.” – Anthony Mackie (22:53–23:36)

• On casting nerves:

  “Apple juice is always a safe bet, right?...They asked me—still or sparkling? My throat was on fire.” – Anthony Mackie (40:16–41:36)

• On fame at home:

  “New Orleans—nobody don’t care...even the people who own the restaurants, they still make me pay.” – Anthony Mackie (44:29–44:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------| | 04:11 | Interview atmosphere and gaming nostalgia | | 05:43 | “Twisted Metal” Season 2 and adaptation | | 11:43 | Family dynamics and being a “cool” parent | | 17:46 | Childhood, puppet shows, and arts passion | | 24:18 | Juilliard, off-Broadway, “8 Mile” break | | 32:38 | 8 Mile, Curtis Hanson, Eminem recollections| | 37:57 | Behind Marvel casting, Falcon/Captain America | | 42:22 | Global Marvel fame and New Orleans roots | | 45:29 | Reflecting on career, free fishing charter |

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, candid, and funny—full of self-mockery, family stories, and honest reflection. Geist provides structure but lets Mackie’s vibrant personality and humor lead, with Mackie shifting easily between tall tales, Hollywood insight, and fatherhood woes.

Summary for Listeners

Anthony Mackie’s journey from New Orleans stages to Marvel stardom is marked by determination, humility, and humor. This interview covers his start in second-grade puppet theater, hard-won Juilliard training, his unexpected “8 Mile” breakout, and the surreal world of superhero superstardom—always circling back to his pride in being a dad and his undiminished love for acting. Listeners are treated to showbiz stories, practical advice, family comedy, and a revealing look at what it feels like when real life overtakes even the wildest boyhood dreams.