Anthony Mackie has set the record straight on controversial comments made about what his character Captain America represents.
The actor faced backlash for remarks made during an onstage interview in Rome while promoting his new film, "Captain America: Brave New World." During the conversation, Mackie said that his character "represents a lot of different things," but "the term 'America'" is not one of them.
On Tuesday, he clarified what he meant when he made the comments.
"Let me be clear about this, I'm a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like [Captain America] is the honor of a lifetime," Mackie wrote on his Instagram story, according to Variety. "I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. [Captain America] has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to."
While speaking onstage in Rome, Mackie said that while Captain America "represents a lot of different things," he did not think that "the term 'America' should be one of those representations."
"It's about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable," he said.
A video clip of the conversation soon went viral, prompting outrage from prominent names threatening to boycott the film. Among them was political commentator Dan Bongino who shared a clip on X of Mackie's remarks and wrote: "Another [expletive] movie I won't be seeing."
Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project, also weighed in on the matter.
"If you play Captain America, you should be proud to be American … Won't be taking my kids to see this woke garbage," Schilling wrote.
"You should mock and boycott him just as mercilessly as you would Selena Gomez. His movie needs to pay the price for his disrespect," added Todd Erzen of BlazeTV's Steve Deace Show, according to the Independent. He was seemingly referencing backlash over an emotional video Gomez recently posted and then quickly deleted in which she cried about the Trump administration's deportation efforts across the country.