Anthony Mackie, the renowned actor best known for his role as Captain America, is set to make a long-awaited return to Broadway with a significant portrayal in Shakespeare’s *Macbeth* in spring 2027. He disclosed this exciting news during an interview with Deadline on October 5, revealing that the opportunity carries profound personal meaning for him.
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Reflecting on his journey, the Juilliard School alumnus shared his early struggles with dyslexia, which left him feeling written off by peers and educators alike. It was a dedicated ninth-grade teacher who introduced him to the works of Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Chekhov, nurturing his talent when many others had dismissed him. “As challenging as it was for me to understand and comprehend the written word, he took his time and worked with me,” Mackie recounted, expressing gratitude for the enduring friendship that formed from this pivotal educational experience.
The actor’s first major appearance on Broadway was in the 2003 revival of *Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom*, followed by his role in *Drowning Crow* a year later. His most recent performance on the Great White Way was in 2010, where he appeared in *A Behanding in Spokane* alongside acclaimed actors such as Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell. Mackie is keenly aware that taking on the title role in *Macbeth* marks a significant milestone in his career, especially after a sixteen-year hiatus from the stage.
“There’s no way to express the amount of emotion, the amount of gratitude, the amount of achievement to be able to do Shakespeare on Broadway 35 years later,” he stated, emphasising the weight of this opportunity on his artistic life. Mackie feels eager to bring this classic character to life, contributing to the rich tapestry of theatre history.
In addition to his Broadway projects, Mackie will also be featured in an upcoming Audible Original titled *Exoplanet*, which premieres on November 5. This sci-fi thriller, written by Benjamin Percy and executive produced by Andy Weir, involves a narrative where Mackie stars alongside fellow Broadway alumni Ariana DeBose and John Leguizamo. The trio portrays astronauts who crash-land on a hostile planet, separated by centuries, each trying to survive and return home.
Mackie’s character in *Exoplanet*, Jeff Shaw, is driven by a promise to reunite with his daughter, a theme that resonates deeply with the actor, who is also a father of four sons. He draws from his own experiences as a parent, expressing the emotional complexity of striving to return home to one’s family amidst adversity. “I’ve been in that position as a parent where you’re off working, and you just want to get back home to that semblance of unconditional love, rest and appreciation,” Mackie explained.
In a broader sense, the actor’s message to his children encapsulates resilience and determination. He encourages them to embrace the potential for failure while remaining focused on the possibility of success. “You’re going to fail a lot, but what happens when you succeed?” he tells them, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.
As Mackie prepares for his upcoming role, he regards this return to Broadway as an impressive accomplishment. He reflected, “If I retire after this play, I’m good because I can say that I went from there at 14 years old to, at 48, doing Shakespeare on the biggest stage in front of the biggest audience.”
While portraying Captain America represented a major dream realised, Mackie believes that performing Shakespeare is an unparalleled opportunity that holds even greater significance in his life. He expressed that “there’s nothing that can compare to this opportunity, even being considered,” marking this theatrical engagement as a monumental chapter in his career.
As anticipation builds for *Macbeth*, audiences are reminded of the profound influence of mentorship and resilience in shaping the paths of artists, making Mackie’s journey an inspiring narrative within the realm of theatre and beyond.