While Captain America: Civil War is pretty much the next Avengers film, it is also a direct sequel to Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Returning after their roles in the previous film are Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier, and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Falcon.
The pair told Kate Rodger they have a complicated relationship. Which becomes more so as the titular conflict of Civil War develops.
The sequel is receiving widespread critical acclaim, currently holding a 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes; Stan and Mackie give full credit to directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
"You have to hand it to them. They came in attracted to a type of storytelling that is very grounded, they're very up-to-date with world news and what is happening, and want to find parallels that you as a viewer can relate to," says Stan.
"The two of them together -- they work unbelievably well. As an actor they put you in a position where you can do your best work," adds Mackie.
On Facebook, how would you describe Falcon's relationship with the Winter Soldier?Mackie: I would definitely put it as 'it's complicated'. Because he doesn't understand me, he doesn't listen to me. Every time I try to open up and express to him what I'm feeling, he shuts down and he shuts me down. Stan: See the Winter Soldier is a very good listener, because he usually doesn't have the words to respond with. Mackie: I want so much from him but he's not a giver. Not a sharer.
There is some huge action in Civil War, including the IMAX airport fight sequence. How much fun was that to shoot?Mackie: It was a lot of fun! Stan: It was a lot of fun when we were finally actually doing something. So much of that was across five months, it was so tedious in the way it established shots -- you'd shoot for a two or three minute sequence here. Then wait an hour for another set-up, or for someone like out Ant-Man to show up. Mackie: And you have to wait for Vision, because he has to have his tea time. He has tea at high noon, then he has melon at 4pm, he has to call his agent and make sure his contract is being honoured, he's just a diva. He's purple for a reason.
There's some new kids on the block -- what sort of initiation process do the new team members have to go through?Mackie: The first rule of being in a Marvel movie? You don't talk about being in Marvel movies. That's the first rule, I'm sorry. I don't care how cute you are, I won't tell you.
Is there any chance that Falcon and the Winter Soldier might join in the fun of Taika Waititi's upcoming Thor sequel?Stan: Thor has been pretty busy during these last couple of Captain America films. Mackie: Captain America: Civil War is a movie I think you'll enjoy for many different reasons. I think it speaks to the Kiwi state-of-mind and day-to-day life. Once you go Kiwi, you never go back.
Winter Soldier changed the game, it turned me into a Marvel fan. It wasn't a superhero film. What is it about Winter Soldier and Civil War that does that?Stan: You have to start with the Russos. You have to hand it to them. They came in attracted to a type of storytelling that is very grounded, they're very up-to-date with world news and what is happening and want to find parallels that you as a viewer can relate to. Mackie: What's great about the two brothers, Anthony is kind of like a film savant, while Joe was an actor. So his knowledge of how to communicate what he wants on the screen, the two of them together -- they work unbelievably well. As an actor they put you in a position where you can do your best work.
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Captain America: Civil War opens in New Zealand cinemas on May 5.
Newshub.