Although Anthony Mackie has started to spend his time saving the world from villains with his red, white, and blue shield, in the early years of his career, he starred in many iconic films that shaped him into the iconic star that he is today. In 2011, the actor starred in the cult-classic film, Real Steel, alongside the legendary Hugh Jackman. Although the film did not break records, it has always had a very loyal fanbase that appreciates the uniqueness of its concept.
So much so, that even though the movie came out more than a decade ago, it still has fans begging for more. It would seem, however, that the fans are not the only ones who see the potential in its story.
During an interview, Mackie pitched his idea for a second part of the movie, and the possibilities are endless.
Anthony Mackie and Real Steel 2
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Anthony Mackie looked back at one of his most iconic works before Marvel. More than ten years after the release of Real Steel, the actor talked about what could have been the future of the series. According to Mackie, there was enough mystery surrounding the world of underground robot fighting to create a franchise.
I always thought about the idea of going to the underground world and seeing what the reality is. The underground boxing circuit is so different than that last fight [the finale League match in the movie] with all the glitz and the glam and the polish. I feel like you can do a ‘Mad Max’ meets ‘Real Steel,’ and I could be Tina Turner.
The actor suggested that the story take place through the eyes of a grown-up Max Kenton, showcasing the dynamics of the underground world. Suggesting that the world has many layers, Mackie mentioned that he would love to see that explored more. He also thinks that there is enough material in the lore to create multiple sequels that create an atmosphere like the Mad Max saga.
…it would be hilarious to show [Max, the son of Hugh Jackman’s character] coming back as a grown adult now and he’s a successful businessman and he doesn’t have time for robot boxing. ‘That’s for kids!’ And he falls back in love with robot boxing and realizes that life is happier when you’re not stressed with work. I think that would be a great storyline.
He also pitched an arc for Dakota Goyo’s character, being fully focused on his career and forgetting about what brought him happiness in the first place. It is safe to assume that many fans would be interested in such a storyline for the hypothetical second film.
Another Billion-Dollar Film for Hugh Jackman?
Anthony Mackie then went on to talk about why the Real Steel sequel did not happen, even though there was enough material for a franchise. When the film was released, it did not make enough of a profit to be considered for a sequel.
Even though it has gained a huge fandom since its release through streaming and rewatches, at the time of its release, it was not able to make enough of an impact to be considered for more than one film. Additionally, there seemed to be no script ideas, according to Mackie, that were captivating enough to follow through with a second part.
We did well, but not well enough. It wasn’t like we had $500 million and a sequel was a no-brainer. So, the economics were on the bubble, we didn’t have the perfect script idea. It’s still something we flirt with because whatever enduring love fans have for Real Steel, Hugh Jackman and I share it.
However, a lot has changed since its release, and the film now has an audience that would devour a sequel. Mackie also suggested that Hugh Jackman was also interested in reviving his role. Considering how the stars of the movie are still interested in coming back and the movie has gained a huge audience, enough buzz could cause the studio to change its mind.
Mackie has also gained immense popularity through his role as Captain America, and Jackman just starred in the $1 billion, Deadpool & Wolverine. With the credit that they have amongst them, they could easily power the notion to breathe life into the potential franchise.
Real Steel is available for streaming on Prime Video.
