'Shah Rukh's the damn best': Anthony Mackie wants Shah Rukh Khan as an Avenger

Hollywood star Anthony Mackie, who essays the role of Captain America in Marvel Studios' highly anticipated Captain America: Brave New World, has expressed his love to see the ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan as the next Avenger.

During an interview with influencer Kevin Zingkhai, Mackie was asked which Bollywood actor he would pick as the next Avenger. “I think Shah Rukh Khan, he’s the damn best!” Mackie said instantly. "He (Shah Rukh) is the damn best,” Mackie told during the interview which was shared on Instagram and is going viral across social media.

Casting Shah Rukh Khan has been a goal for many filmmakers, and his popularity was highlighted in Deadpool 2 when Deadpool and Dopinder enjoyed a track from his film Swades. Back in 2018, Stephen Wacker, Marvel’s former Vice President of Creative Development, shared his desire for SRK’s involvement in a Marvel project, saying, "If we make Indian content, we have to put Shah Rukh Khan. He has to be in it."

In 2023, The Marvels' director Nia DaCosta shared her admiration for Shah Rukh Khan and her wish to collaborate with him. During a media interaction, she said, "Shah Rukh Khan is kind of a legend, isn’t he? It’s kind of a no-brainer in that sense."

Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, assumes the role of Captain America after being named Steve Rogers’ successor by Chris Evans’ character. In the upcoming MCU film Captain America: Brave New World, Wilson takes on Red Hulk. The film, directed by Julius Onah, is set to premiere in theaters on February 14.

On the professional front, Shah Rukh will be next seen in King, directed by his Pathaan director Siddharth Anand. He recently unveiled the teaser of the forthcoming Netflix show The Ba***ds of Bollywood.