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The Marvel hype machine is in full swing, but the latest Captain America installment might not be flying as high as expected. Anthony Mackie (Captain America), who’s stepping into the star-spangled shoes in Captain America: Brave New World, decided to surprise fans at a screening of the film. A cool gesture, right? Except, instead of cheers, the internet is talking about something else entirely: those empty seats.
The opening weekend of a Marvel movie is usually a packed affair, but images from the screening showed more vacant spots than expected. Cue the internet’s favorite pastime: roasting. What was meant to be a wholesome moment quickly turned into meme material, with fans and critics having a field day.
Anthony Mackie’s ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Screening Surprise Goes Viral
Anthony Mackie's Captain America showing up at a screening should have been a big deal. It’s not every day that an Avenger walks into your theater, popcorn in hand, ready to hype up the audience. But instead of applause, the focus shifted to the glaringly obvious: the theater wasn’t even full.
Once the images hit the internet, social media did what it does best. A wave of reactions flooded in, making jokes about Marvel’s so-called “desperation” and questioning the movie’s potential. The moment was supposed to be about fan engagement, but instead, it sparked conversations about whether Marvel’s golden era is fading.
One of the standout comments was a simple yet brutal observation: “A lot of empty seats for opening weekend.”
No sugarcoating, just straight-up shade. Another user doubled down, laughing at the turnout and adding, “Not even a full house on opening weekend, tells me all I need to know.” The message? Marvel might not be the guaranteed box office beast it once was.
Some fans admitted they were on the fence about the film. “I want to like this movie, but I feel like I am going to be disappointed,” one user wrote, capturing the general hesitance that’s been hanging around Marvel’s recent releases.
Others took a more savage route, with one person joking, “Bet he wanted to cry at those empty seats.” Ouch.
Of course, not all reactions were negative. One fan wished they had been in the same theater, adding crying emojis for extra drama. But then came the ultimate jab: “Marvel getting desperate lol.” Whether or not that’s true, it’s clear that audience confidence isn’t what it used to be.
And then, there was that comment. “He didn’t extend the popcorn bucket…” If you know, you know. If you don’t, consider yourself spared.
Is this a sign that Captain America: Brave New World is doomed? Not necessarily. Marvel still has a loyal fanbase, and box office numbers aren’t written in stone just yet. But the internet’s reaction does highlight a shift: people aren’t automatically rushing to theaters just because it’s a Marvel film.
The days of effortless billion-dollar hits may be behind them. With superhero fatigue creeping in and audiences becoming pickier, Marvel is now facing something it hasn’t dealt with in years: skepticism. Fans want more than just flashy CGI and familiar characters; they want fresh storytelling that feels worth the ticket price.
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That being said, it’s still early days. The film could find its audience in the coming weeks, and who knows, maybe word of mouth will turn things around. Mackie’s Captain America has big shoes to fill, and while the opening weekend reactions might not be the most encouraging, it’s too soon to count him out.
As for the internet? Well, they’ve already moved on to the next roast session.
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