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“font-family: Verdana;”>“The most exciting thing about Finn was the hunger and desire inside of him,” Anthony Mackie said about his role in the Disney film Real Steel. “He created his niche in an industry when work ethic seemed to be a thing of the past. This dude looked at the business and made his own way.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>This could be said of his own space among his blactor contemporaries.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Being in this industry has really taught me how to go out and work to get what you want,” Mackie said. “If you try to be in this business without doing the work, it will catch up with you sooner or later. Work begets work.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mackie is far from the resident black heartthrob that lights up the screen until the new dark and handsome flavor of the day comes along to snatch his spot.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The biggest thing for me is to not try to be the lead in every movie,” Mackie said. “My name might not be on the poster, but it is in those supporting characters that you get to do some really cool and interesting work. I’m trying to take the ego out of this business.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Through his mantra the classically trained actor has to his credit some extremely memorable ensemble credits – most notably his role in the 2009 Academy Award Best Picture film The Hurt Locker.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>His passionate and grounded portrayals seem to call for the cast to rise to the challenge of the energy he creates within the film.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“One of the greatest blessings afforded to me was going to Julliard,” Mackie, a native of New Orleans, said.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Technique is good, but what I learned there is all about creating from within yourself – which is the most important lesson for actors. Some people learn their lines and think that’s enough, but it takes so much more than that to create a connection with the people watching.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mackie spoke of borrowing a tip from a Marlon Brando interview where the acting legend spoke of applying the technique of observation and infusing interesting character tics into the roles he’s charged to portray.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mackie says he soaks in life in New York City – riding the subway for hours taking notes about the people he sees and applying them to a particular role to create an authenticity that will resonate with viewers.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>His initial connection with the audience as a high school drama head that led him down the path that would ultimately lead him to realize his passion for acting.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I was a pretty popular kid in New Orleans, and I was playing in Shakespeare’s King Lear as Edmond,” Mackie said as if he were reliving the moment.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It came to the point where my friend Tristan was getting ready to kill me, and four different girls jumped up and said, ‘Anthony, no.’ I knew when I heard those girls screaming that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mackie has enjoyed acclaimed performances on stage and in film – including an Obie Award in 2002 for his performance in Carl Hancock Rux Off Broadway production Talk. But his 10-year journey has been far from an overnight success.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“There have been some amazing highs, and dismal lows,” Mackie said. “But invaluable lessons have come from both places, so I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As he presses on, he looks to an unlikely contemporary as a source of career envy. “Matt Damon,” Mackie said in a matter of fact tone.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When I look at him I feel like his resume is really interesting, but he is also an intellectual. He’s into politics, causes, current events and philanthropy. I want to be involved in social politics and how my decisions affect the generation that’s looking at me – to influence and help people.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the meantime, Mackie is working his way up and hoping to create a new fan base by way of Reel Steel, which also stars Hugh Jackman. In Real Steel, which opened in theatres on Friday, Mackie plays an underground fight promoter living in a time where robots have replaced humans in the ring.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It’s a good movie,” Mackie said.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“With a lot of these CGI films, you are left disappointed because there is no story – nobody took the time to develop a script. But with Real Steel, you get all of those elements. You get to see a great story of a father and son reconnecting, some kick-ass fight scenes and some great storytelling.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Real Steel is now open in theatres nationwide. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 127 minutes.
