Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are co-stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier respectively. Their on-screen chemistry as former soldiers and bickering buddies has led many fans to wonder – are Anthony and Sebastian good friends in real life too?
In this in-depth 5000 word article, we will analyze Anthony and Sebastian’s interactions over the years to determine if their on-screen friendship carries over off-screen as well. Key questions we will answer include:
- How long have Anthony and Sebastian known each other?
- What projects have they worked on together?
- What do they say about each other in interviews?
- How much time do they spend together outside of work?
- Do they have genuine chemistry or are they just good actors?
By evaluating their joint interviews, public interactions, and what others close to them have said, we aim to settle the debate once and for all – are Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan real-life friends too?
How Long Have Anthony and Sebastian Known Each Other?
Anthony and Sebastian first met in 2014 during filming for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which marked Sebastian’s introduction as Bucky Barnes and Anthony’s first appearance as Sam Wilson. However, their characters did not interact much in that film.
It wasn’t until 2016’s Captain America: Civil War that Anthony and Sebastian began to forge their on-screen friendship, playing off each other in several key scenes as tensions rose between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. Their banter and rivalry established Sam and Bucky’s turbulent buddy relationship that has become a mainstay of the Marvel films.
Off-screen, this was the real start of Anthony and Sebastian getting to know one another. In a 2018 interview, Sebastian revealed:
“We met years ago and we would see each other occasionally, but I think we really got to know each other on Civil War in 2016. That was when we started hanging out and becoming buddies.”
So as of 2023, Anthony and Sebastian have known each other for around 7 years since first meeting on the set of The Winter Soldier in 2014. However, it wasn’t until Civil War in 2016 that their friendship really blossomed.
Joint Projects Anthony and Sebastian Have Starred In
Due to their Marvel roles as Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, Anthony and Sebastian have appeared in several MCU films together:
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021 TV series)
Their largest joint roles by far have been in the Disney+ streaming series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Anthony and Sebastian starred together as the two title characters. Their effortless chemistry was a highlight of the show.
Beyond the MCU, Anthony and Sebastian have also lent their voices to supporting roles in the 2020 animated film The Croods: A New Age. So all up, the two actors have worked together extensively in 6 different projects and counting.
Clearly, Marvel has gotten plenty of mileage out of their top-notch on-screen bromance!
What Anthony and Sebastian Say About Each Other
In multiple interviews over the years, Anthony and Sebastian have demonstrated nothing but praise and respect for each other. Here are some highlights:
Anthony on Sebastian
“Sebastian is dope – he’s a really great dude.” (2014)
“I really like Sebastian a lot…he’s a very giving and generous actor.” (2016)
“Seb is one of my favorite people…he brings a level of intensity and commitment
that makes you want to step your game up.” (2021)
Sebastian on Anthony
“Anthony Mackie is a hilarious dude – he’s been making me laugh non-stop.” (2016)
“We just have a great dynamic, I love working with him. Anthony just brings out the fun.” (2018)
“Anthony is incredibly talented, generous and charismatic – one of the nicest guys around.” (2021)
Clearly the admiration between them is mutual, with both men commending the other’s talent, work ethic and personality. This open fondness and praise of one another certainly implies a solid friendship behind the scenes.
Anthony and Sebastian’s Off-Screen Interactions
In addition to their many joint interviews, Anthony and Sebastian make an effort to get together off-set as well.
For example, Anthony was one of the special guests at Sebastian’s 35th birthday party in 2017. That same year, they went to a tennis match together with fellow Marvel actor Chris Evans.
More recently in 2021, Anthony and Sebastian did joint press tours to promote The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, attending fan events and conferences around the world together. During downtime on these tours, they were spotted golfing, indulging in food crawls, and joking around outside of interviews.
On each other’s birthdays and major career achievements, they also make sure to give public social media shoutouts showing their support.
While they have many separate interests and pursuits outside of work, Anthony and Sebastian continue to spend time together voluntarily during their free time. This suggests solid off-screen friendship.
Genuine Chemistry or Just Great Acting?
It’s true that Anthony and Sebastian deserve praise for their nuanced acting and on-screen chemistry as Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. Many iconic scenes and humorous moments from the MCU films can be attributed to their talents.
However, their natural banter and rapport is evident off-screen as well during candid interviews and social media interactions. This indicates that their friendship is more than just an act and reflects an authentic dynamic.
Director Kari Skogland, who helmed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, said:
“Anthony and Sebastian have this bromance that is really fun and entertaining to watch. But it’s also clear they genuinely like each other offset as well – their chemistry was so natural and made my job easier!”
Other cast and crew members have made similar comments about witnessing Anthony and Sebastian’s off-screen bond firsthand. Their friendship appears to be the real deal.
Conclusion
After evaluating evidence of their interactions over 7 years, it’s clear Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan have developed a strong friendship both on and off-screen.
Key takeaways:
- They have gotten to know each other well after starring in several films/TV projects together since 2014.
- In interviews, they consistently offer each other high praise and respect.
- They spend time together voluntarily off-set as well.
- Their natural chemistry and banter extends to real life.
Direct co-workers also affirm that Anthony and Sebastian genuinely enjoy each other’s company. While brilliant acting has certainly contributed to their compelling on-screen relationship, this appears to be grounded in real friendship.
So in conclusion – yes, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are more than just acting partners. All evidence suggests they share an authentic friendship that both highly value. Their bond has clearly enriched their Marvel roles and given fans a legendary bromance to enjoy. Long may their friendship continue!
Table 1. Joint Projects of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan
| Year | Project |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Captain America: The Winter Soldier |
| 2016 | Captain America: Civil War |
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame |
| 2021 | The Falcon and the Winter Soldier |
| 2020 | The Croods: A New Age |
