Anthony Mackie Stars as John Doe in 'Twisted Metal' Series

New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) — Anthony Mackie, renowned for his role as Captain America, now takes on the character of John Doe, a milkman with amnesia in a post-apocalyptic setting in the new series "Twisted Metal". Fascinated by imagining the world through alternative realities, Mackie describes this concept as entertaining. Developed by Michael Jonathan Smith and inspired by the well-known video game, "Twisted Metal" portrays a dystopian America where the societal structure has fractured into hostile city-states. The series, which initially premiered in 2023, made its return with a second chapter on August 1. When inquired whether the speculative themes prevalent in today's entertainment make him uneasy, Mackie instead views it as a chance for exploration. "As a kid watching Star Wars, I was amazed at the possibility of living on different planets, having robots, and wielding lightsabers. It’s exciting to see the world from a different perspective and understand how it influences our evolution," Mackie shared with PTI in an interview. Hollywood has long explored dystopian themes, as seen in Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange", "The Hunger Games" series, "Mad Max: Fury Road", or the AI domination in "The Matrix". Mackie believes the potential in these narratives is endless, with "Twisted Metal" encapsulating such opportunity. In "Twisted Metal", Mackie’s character John Doe embarks on a perilous journey across a barren United States to deliver an enigmatic package. Confronted by relentless and armed marauders, Doe’s mission is fraught with challenges as he seeks a hopeful future. Mackie's entry into cinema began with the indie film "Brother to Brother" in 2003, leading to key roles in movies like "Million Dollar Baby", "Half Nelson", "Eagle Eye", "Real Steel", and "Gangster Squad". His performance in Kathryn Bigelow's war drama "The Hurt Locker" in 2008 brought him wider acclaim, eventually leading to his casting as Wilson in "Captain America: Winter Soldier" within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, with over twenty years in the industry, 46-year-old Mackie continues to pursue roles that challenge him. "My career has always been about finding roles from which I can learn and grow as a person," he says, reflecting on the impact characters like Sam Wilson have made on his personal life. Playing John Doe in "Twisted Metal" has similarly enriched Mackie’s outlook, inspiring curiosity and optimism about life’s possibilities. Mackie notes that acting is not merely performance but about fully immersing oneself into a character. "It’s about letting those characters evolve from script to reality, allowing them the freedom to exist authentically," the actor explains. "Twisted Metal" season two is currently available for streaming on SonyLIV, and features an ensemble cast including Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Seanoa, Will Arnett, Thomas Haden Church, and Anthony Carrigan.