Actor Anthony Mackie is stepping away from the Marvel Cinematic Universe temporarily to return to the Broadway stage. The Captain America: Brave New World star will take on the title role in a high-profile New York revival of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, scheduled to begin in spring 2027. This theatrical commitment will directly adjust his filming schedule for Marvel Studios’ upcoming blockbuster, Avengers: Secret Wars.
Rehearsals for the production are set to begin in February 2027, with public previews launching in late March. The limited engagement will run through July 2027 at a Broadway theater that has yet to be officially announced. The project marks Mackie’s first return to Broadway in 16 years, following his last appearance in Martin McDonagh’s A Behanding in Spokane in 2010.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Stage
For Mackie, who studied drama at the Juilliard School and built his early career in theater before transitioning to Hollywood films, the role represents a deeply personal milestone. Speaking in an interview reported by Deadline, the actor emphasized his lifelong connection to live performance.
“I started as a theater kid,” Mackie said. “And doing theater was my passion since I was seven years old. And you know, now being able to do it at this level in this space, not too many people can say they did Macbeth on Broadway.”
The upcoming Broadway run serves as the New York transfer of the acclaimed 2023 Donmar Warehouse production directed by Max Webster. The original London staging-which starred David Tennant and Cush Jumbo before transferring to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre-won widespread attention for its innovative binaural sound design by Gareth Fry. That technical setup required audience members to wear headphones while actors spoke directly into microphones, capturing every whisper and nuance of the performance.
“The microphones and the sound aspect of it is interesting because you in the audience can hear everything, you can hear every whisper, you can feel every emotion,” Mackie noted regarding the staging. “So instead of having to project to the back of the house, the house comes to the stage.”
Preparation and Marvel Scheduling Impacts
To prepare for the grueling physical and vocal demands of performing eight shows a week, Mackie has turned to his former Juilliard teacher, Richard Feldman, for coaching. He is also reviewing decades-old vocal notes and focusing on physical conditioning to manage the rigorous theatrical schedule.
The casting process for the supporting company, including the vital role of Lady Macbeth, is currently underway, with producers anticipating an entirely American cast. While the theatrical run occupies his spring and early summer in 2027, Mackie confirmed that his schedule with Marvel Studios remains fully mapped out around the stage commitment.
Mackie will first appear in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for theatrical release on December 18. Once his run in Macbeth concludes in July 2027, he will transition straight back to physical production to wrap up his commitments for Avengers: Secret Wars.
Anthony Mackie Career and Theater Background
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Education: Juilliard School, Bachelor of Arts in Drama (2001)
- Notable Broadway/Off-Broadway Credits: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Drowning Crow, A Soldier’s Play, and A Behanding in Spokane
- Obie Award Winner: Received in 2002 for Carl Hancock Rux’s Talk
- MCU Role: Sam Wilson / Falcon / Captain America
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Anthony Mackie star in Macbeth on Broadway?
Anthony Mackie will star in Macbeth beginning in spring 2027, with rehearsals starting in February 2027 and the production running through July 2027.
How does this affect Avengers: Secret Wars?
Mackie’s commitment to the Broadway production will temporarily adjust his filming timeline. Once his run as Macbeth concludes in July 2027, he will return to finish his work on Avengers: Secret Wars.
What is the origin of this production of Macbeth?
The Broadway production is a transfer of director Max Webster’s critically acclaimed Donmar Warehouse staging, which originally premiered in London in 2023.
When was the last time Anthony Mackie was on Broadway?
Mackie last appeared on Broadway in 2010 in Martin McDonagh’s play A Behanding in Spokane alongside Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, and Zoe Kazan.
Who is coaching Mackie for the role?
Mackie is working with his former Juilliard drama teacher, Richard Feldman, to prepare for the rigorous vocal and physical demands of the Shakespearean tragedy.
