Marvel Studios and Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was one of the many shows that was forced to shut down earlier this year due to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. For months, the show’s production status remained in question, but filming recently picked back up again and seems to be making progress. Despite this, like many other TV shows, the show has adapted numerous COVID-related safety measures. While the regulations seem to be working, series star Anthony Mackie says shooting under those conditions hasn’t been all that great.
The newly dubbed Captain America recently detailed the new normal on set and, based on Mackie’s comments, the environment seems to be a far cry from the NBA’s bubble:
Well, 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.
Anthony Mackie did not hold back when explaining the working atmosphere to ET. Having to work under those conditions has to be a major adjustment, especially when the environment was vastly different when production on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier first began.
Filming on the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe show kicked off last fall in Atlanta. By the beginning of 2020, production was set to move to Puerto Rico, but the show experienced a setback when an earthquake hit the country, causing the shoot to be delayed. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier would start filming in the Czech Republic in March, during which production was shut down. By September, the show was back in production in Atlanta and eventually returned to Prague, with the aforementioned measures in effect.
Although filming on a COVID-proof set may not be the most ideal in terms of comfort, the cast and crew still seem to be enjoying each other’s company and finding ways to stay positive. During the shoot, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie had some fun with social distancing as the latter smoked a cigar. Emily VanCamp also sent out a sweet message when she wrapped her work on the series.
Working conditions may not be ideal for cast and crew members across Hollywood, but what’s most important is that everyone is safe and healthy. Anthony Mackie is surely aware of this, but you still can’t blame him for sharing his honest thoughts. Hopefully, safety remains as the show continues production and they’re able to wrap sooner rather than later.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2021.
