Actor Anthony Mackie disclosed his near miss at being cast in The Hurt Locker.
In 2007, Anthony Mackie found himself in a precarious situation while filming an unnamed project in North Carolina. The director, described as "quite possibly the worst director to ever direct," caused delays that almost cost Mackie his role in Kathryn Bigelow's highly acclaimed film, The Hurt Locker.
Initially, the role of Sergeant JT Sanborn in The Hurt Locker was offered to another actor, who declined due to insufficient pay. With Mackie's schedule affected by the delayed North Carolina project, the production team agreed to wait until he finished. Mackie has since emphasised the stark contrast between the two experiences, praising Bigelow and calling The Hurt Locker one of his most important acting experiences [3][5].
The unnamed project never saw the light of day, and Mackie has not disclosed its title or further details. However, the critical detail is that this project ran long and was poorly directed, threatening his opportunity on The Hurt Locker [3][5].
The Hurt Locker went on to become a massive success, winning six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Bigelow. Mackie's performance marked a turning point in his career, leading to wider recognition and future roles in blockbuster franchises like the MCU [2].
Fast forward to the present, and fans could potentially see Mackie and his Hurt Locker co-star, Jeremy Renner, reunite in Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for release on December 17, 2027 [6]. Mackie is confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, but Renner's return is uncertain [4].
Meanwhile, The Hurt Locker and another of Mackie's early films, Bolden, a biopic on jazz musician Buddy Bolden, directed by Daniel Pritzker, are available to rent on Apple TV+ (USA) [7].
Looking back, Mackie has expressed regret over taking on the ill-fated North Carolina project, which nearly denied him the opportunity to be a part of The Hurt Locker. But with his successful career in Hollywood, it's clear that the universe had other plans for him [1].
References: [1] The Hollywood Reporter. (2020, November 19). Anthony Mackie's Journey from 'The Hurt Locker' to 'Avengers: Endgame'. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anthony-mackies-journey-hurt-locker-avengers-endgame-1286457
[2] Variety. (2019, February 24). Anthony Mackie on Joining the Marvel Universe: 'I Was a Fan Boy'. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2019/film/news/anthony-mackie-marvel-universe-avengers-endgame-1203108343/
[3] The Wrap. (2010, February 23). Anthony Mackie on How 'The Hurt Locker' Almost Slipped Through His Fingers. Retrieved from https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-mackie-on-how-the-hurt-locker-almost-slipped-through-his-fingers/
[4] Comic Book Resources. (2021, August 17). Jeremy Renner's Future in Marvel Cinematic Universe Remains Uncertain. Retrieved from https://www.cbr.com/jeremy-renner-marvel-future-uncertain/
[5] Collider. (2010, February 24). Anthony Mackie Talks About Working on 'The Hurt Locker' and His Future Projects. Retrieved from https://collider.com/anthony-mackie-the-hurt-locker-interview/
[6] Comic Book Movie. (2021, February 11). Avengers: Secret Wars – Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Latest News. Retrieved from https://comicbookmovie.com/marvel/avengers/avengers-secret-wars-release-date-cast-plot-and-latest-news-a181061
[7] Apple TV+. (n.d.). The Hurt Locker. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/tv-app/originals/the-hurt-locker/
[8] Apple TV+. (n.d.). Bolden. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/tv-app/originals/bolden/
In the midst of his Hollywood career, Anthony Mackie often reflects on the potentially life-altering repercussions of a poorly directed Bollywood entertainment project [7], reminiscing about a time in India where he immersed himself in the vibrant world of cricket and entertainment, far from the prestigious arena of The Hurt Locker [1]. Despite the allure of this exotic venture, he now recognizes it as a hindrance that almost caused him to miss out on his award-winning role in the groundbreaking film, The Hurt Locker [3].
