Anthony Mackie recently weighed in on the coronavirus restrictions in place on The Falcon and the Winter Solider set. The upcoming Marvel show features Mackie reprising his role as Sam Wilson/Falcon alongside Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier. The series will feature other returns from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well, including Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter and Daniel Brühl as Zemo. Though some plot details remain a mystery, footage shown at The Walt Disney Company’s 2020 shareholders meeting revealed Bucky and Sam won’t be friends initially, despite their shared fondness for Steve Rogers.
The series was originally supposed to premiere in August 2020 as the first MCU show on Disney+. However, the coronavirus had other plans, leading to a production shutdown in March. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was filming in Prague at the time, adding an extra challenge. The show eventually resumed work in the United States before returning overseas earlier this month. The production delay cast doubt on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s release date, with the show’s landing page on Disney+ now only saying it will release at some point in 2021.
In an interview with ET, Mackie discussed returning to work amid the pandemic, admitting there are drawbacks to the strict coronavirus guidelines:
Everybody’s very afraid of each other. The food is bad because they have to pack it up somewhere else and bring it to us in Ziploc bags. Yeah, it’s awful. You’re literally living in quarantine. It’s not like the NBA bubble where they had a barbershop and friends to hang out with…No, if you get within six feet of somebody, there’s some little Czech dude coming and poking you with a stick saying, “You have to move.” So it’s rough.
Though many Hollywood creatives have spoken about life on set during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s refreshing to hear Mackie comment with such frankness about his experience on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Productions resuming undoubtedly helps an industry hit hard this year, but it does come at a cost. Those working in both film and TV have had to make sacrifices in order to keep sets safe. The guidelines are essential, but it’s understandable they take a toll on a production’s cast, crew, and other personnel. These feelings are likely compounded in overseas productions, where those working on a show or movie feel more isolated than they would if working in the United States.
Hollywood’s return to work has been difficult, to say the least. Major film productions like The Batman and Jurassic World: Dominion have been hit with positive coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, shows located in Vancouver had to pause filming again due to COVID testing delays, though they’ve since been able to resume shooting. On a positive note, Mackie’s comments indicate those working on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are doing everything they can to keep the set safe. That’s the most important thing right now for both those a part of the show and viewers at home eagerly awaiting its debut on Disney+.
Source: ET
Originally from https://screenrant.com/falcon-winter-soldier-anthony-mackie-covid-filming-restrictions/