‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star Anthony Mackie Returns to Broadway as Macbeth

Anthony Mackie has spent a significant part of the last decade as one of Marvel’s most recognizable faces, but his roots lie deeply in theater. The Juilliard-trained actor was a staple on New York stages before superhero films catapulted him to fame.

Now, he is making a comeback. After years filled with blockbuster filming schedules, Mackie is set to take on one of Shakespeare’s most challenging roles in a major New York production.

Mackie will portray Macbeth in a new Broadway production, as reported by Deadline.

Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye broke the news exclusively, stating that Mackie will assume the role starting in spring 2027. This marks his first Broadway appearance in 16 years, following his role in Martin McDonagh’s ‘A Behanding in Spokane’ alongside Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, and Zoe Kazan.

Rehearsals are set to begin in February 2027, with previews expected to start in late March or early April, and the play is scheduled to run until July. The specific Broadway theater has yet to be disclosed.

Mackie will take on the role of the Thane of Cawdor in a New York transfer of director Max Webster’s production, which debuted at the Donmar Warehouse in London in late 2023, featuring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo as the Macbeths. The production later moved to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End for a sold-out 11-week run, receiving acclaim for its innovative staging and sound design.

Mackie expressed that theater has always been a central part of his identity. “I started as a theater kid,” he told Deadline, noting that performing Macbeth on Broadway is a rare opportunity.

The idea to return to the stage emerged while he was filming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ in London. During a conversation with his friend and mentor Wendell Pierce about theater, Mackie felt inspired to get back on stage.

He is also considering a London stage debut, hoping it materializes sooner rather than later. For now, his focus is on Shakespeare’s Scottish tragedy.

Mackie described Macbeth as a character whose ambition ultimately leads to his downfall, and he finds the story particularly relevant today. “We’re living in the day and age of ambition,” he remarked in the same interview with Deadline.

He is also enthusiastic about Webster’s innovative use of sound in the production. The microphones, Mackie explained, allow the audience to hear every whisper, creating an immersive experience.

Webster and the production’s casting directors are currently searching for an actress to portray Lady Macbeth and other key roles. Mackie suggested that the cast will likely be entirely American.

Mackie will be following in the footsteps of notable actors. Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga starred in a 2022 Broadway revival of ‘Macbeth’ directed by Sam Gold, which ran through the summer of that year.

This makes the play a popular choice for film stars, giving Mackie a chance to leave his mark on a role that has been interpreted by many. His Broadway run will follow the well-received staging at the Donmar, providing him with a strong foundation.

This commitment also impacts Marvel’s schedule. Mackie, who plays Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, mentioned that once he completes his Broadway run, he will return to finish all his ‘Avengers’ work for ‘Secret Wars.’

Deadline describes ‘Secret Wars’ as the next film set to release late next year, indicating that Mackie’s stage performance will conclude before he resumes work with Marvel. Meanwhile, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is slated for release in December.

This combination of Broadway prestige and blockbuster fame is rare. It highlights how much of Mackie’s career has involved navigating between the worlds of experimental theater and major Hollywood franchises.

For fans, the question remains whether he can bring the same charisma to Shakespeare’s villainous king that he embodies as Sam Wilson. We will find out in spring 2027.

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