Anthony Mackie Says These Two Actors Send the ‘Smartest’ Memes and Texts in the ‘Lively’AvengersGroup Chat (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Anthony Mackie in Italy on Jan. 27.Photo:Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty

Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty

The Avengershaven’t assembled on screen in a while, butAnthony Mackietells PEOPLE their group text is very much active.“We still have our chat. We still go back, and forth, and make fun of each other,” says Mackie, who stars in the new Marvel movieCaptain America: Brave New World.“We’re an active, lively bunch, I’ll just put it that way.”Stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which launched with the 2008 movieIron Man, includeRobert Downey Jr.,Chris Evans,Chris Hemsworth,Scarlett Johansson,Don Cheadle,Mark RuffaloandJeremy Renner, among others.So who sends the most memes and GIFs in the group? “I will say who sends the smartest ones,” says Mackie. “It’s a toss up between Ruffalo and Cheadle. The two of them are probably the smartest, like beyond smart. They’re so smart that they make you smart when you talk to them.”Don Cheadle (left) and Anthony Mackie (right) in 2018.Jesse Grant/GettyJohansson toldThe New York Timeslast year thatshe wants their messages to remain private.“Hopefully, nobody will ever read it. Everything goes on in there. I mean, really. If somebody’s gotten terrible reviews, that could be something that comes up,” she said.“The Avengers, we’re like a family. We’ve been through an incredible experience over a decade plus of time. It was life-changing for all of us. If you text the chain, you can guarantee that within a few minutes, most people will respond, which is great,” she continued.Mark Ruffalo (left) and Anthony Mackie (right) in 2015.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyMackie first joined the MCU with 2014’sCaptain America: The Winter Soldieras Sam Wilson, a former Air Force rescue squadron member and one of the Avengers known as Falcon.The former Captain America, Steve Rogers (Evans), passed Cap’s shield to Wilson at the end of 2019’sAvengers: Endgame.Captain America: Brave New Worldmarks Mackie’s first film as the titular superhero. The movie costarsHarrison Fordas U.S. president Thaddeus Ross (aka Red Hulk), taking over for the late William Hurt, andLiv Tyler, reprising her role as scientist Betty Ross from 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk.Anthony Mackie filming ‘Captain America: Brave New World.'.Eli Adé/MARVELAsked if any of the original Avengers may make any cameos here, Mackie plays coy.  “I hope so. I don’t know. I don’t know. I hope so. I love them OGs,” he says.Captain America: Brave New Worldis in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14.For more on Anthony Mackie, pick up the new issue ofPEOPLE.

The Avengershaven’t assembled on screen in a while, butAnthony Mackietells PEOPLE their group text is very much active.

“We still have our chat. We still go back, and forth, and make fun of each other,” says Mackie, who stars in the new Marvel movieCaptain America: Brave New World.“We’re an active, lively bunch, I’ll just put it that way.”

Stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which launched with the 2008 movieIron Man, includeRobert Downey Jr.,Chris Evans,Chris Hemsworth,Scarlett Johansson,Don Cheadle,Mark RuffaloandJeremy Renner, among others.

So who sends the most memes and GIFs in the group? “I will say who sends the smartest ones,” says Mackie. “It’s a toss up between Ruffalo and Cheadle. The two of them are probably the smartest, like beyond smart. They’re so smart that they make you smart when you talk to them.”

Don Cheadle (left) and Anthony Mackie (right) in 2018.Jesse Grant/Getty

Jesse Grant/Getty

Johansson toldThe New York Timeslast year thatshe wants their messages to remain private.

“Hopefully, nobody will ever read it. Everything goes on in there. I mean, really. If somebody’s gotten terrible reviews, that could be something that comes up,” she said.

“The Avengers, we’re like a family. We’ve been through an incredible experience over a decade plus of time. It was life-changing for all of us. If you text the chain, you can guarantee that within a few minutes, most people will respond, which is great,” she continued.

Mark Ruffalo (left) and Anthony Mackie (right) in 2015.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Mackie first joined the MCU with 2014’sCaptain America: The Winter Soldieras Sam Wilson, a former Air Force rescue squadron member and one of the Avengers known as Falcon.

The former Captain America, Steve Rogers (Evans), passed Cap’s shield to Wilson at the end of 2019’sAvengers: Endgame.

Captain America: Brave New Worldmarks Mackie’s first film as the titular superhero. The movie costarsHarrison Fordas U.S. president Thaddeus Ross (aka Red Hulk), taking over for the late William Hurt, andLiv Tyler, reprising her role as scientist Betty Ross from 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk.

Anthony Mackie filming ‘Captain America: Brave New World.'.Eli Adé/MARVEL

Eli Adé/MARVEL

Asked if any of the original Avengers may make any cameos here, Mackie plays coy.  “I hope so. I don’t know. I don’t know. I hope so. I love them OGs,” he says.

Captain America: Brave New Worldis in theaters on Friday, Feb. 14.

For more on Anthony Mackie, pick up the new issue ofPEOPLE.

source: people.com