“Real Steel's” Anthony Mackie Is a “Fat Boy at Heart”

We can't help but find New Orleans hometown boy turned Brooklynite Anthony Mackie quite endearing. We talked to him about his new robot action flick "Real Steel" with Hugh Jackman. And, you might remember him from Oscar winning film "The Hurt Locker." Like in his on-screen work, Mackie is full of surprises in real life. The Bed-Stuy resident is a local guy who loves German chocolate cake, and even opened up a bar in his Brooklyn neighborhood because he simply just "wanted a nice local spot" where he could "relax, play some pool or watch a game and get a beer around $5." Bedford-Stuyvesant used to be one of the biggest ghettoes in the country, but has certainly come a long way, as young, hip New Yorkers are finding themselves moving to the area. Now, they'll have a place to hang at Mackie's NoBar, a chill neighborhood spot with cheap eats and locally brewed beer. Cheers to that!

Tell us a little bit about "Real Steel," which hit theaters last weekend?
Real Steel is a great story of a young boy becoming close to his dad through the world of Robot Boxing. I play Finn, a promoter for beginner level boxers.

Robot boxing, huh, sounds cool. What made the character Finn appealing to you?
I'd been looking for a part I could have fun with. When I read the script, I felt like Finn was a guy who liked to entertain.

What does it feel like to be part of a Spielberg production? How did you react when Shawn Levy offered you the part?
It’s always cool to say you're working with the likes of Spielberg! Shawn couldn't have been more excited about having me as part of the movie. It made me want to go further and work harder, and really make Finn into something fun and different.

What was the most fun part of working on this film?
While we were shooting in Detroit, there was a festival called "The Woodward Car Cruise." About 100,000 classic cars from around the world cruising the streets of Detroit... Beautiful!

Who were you most surprised by in the cast?
I'd never really worked on a big green screen movie before. It was crazy talking to a real life 8-foot-tall robot! Some of the best acting I've seen in years...

What is something about you that our viewers and readers would find surprising?
I'm a fat boy at heart! You cook it... I'll eat it!

If I weren't an actor, I would be ____________.
A construction worker

What is your favorite late-night bite?
German Chocolate cake topped with Vanilla ice cream and warm Jack Daniels honey! Oh baby!

What are your favorite late-night pairings?
"Coming to America" and my couch! And, Basil Hayden on the rocks.

Tell us about your place in Brooklyn NoBar.
NoBar is a really chill French rustic style bar. It's all hand-crafted and we have an affordable cocktail list to die for. It's a great place to go with a group of friends that won’t break the bank with a beautiful, free pool table.

Where do you like to hang out nightlife-wise in NYC when you are not at your own place?
Well, I don't go to the city much anymore. But, I always stop into STK, because all my friends work there.

What is your favorite thing between two buns?
There’s just too much I can say to that question!

"Real Steel" is in theaters now.

NoBar
608 Nostrand Ave
Brooklyn, NY

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