Anthony Mackie is the new Captain America in the 2025 movie “Brave New World”, have you heard about him? On the podcast The Pivot, Mackie, at 46 years old, shared the following thought: “We’re lying to our kids. We tell them that if they work hard, they’ll achieve everything, but it’s not true. Luck also plays a role”.
And it’s true, these words have always been repeated to us, that the harder we work, the more we achieve, but what if that promise isn’t entirely true? Mackie comes to tell us that life has its own rules and that even if we work hard, we don’t always see the results we want. What role does luck play in our lives? Do you believe in luck??
The myth of success: hard work vs. luck
For Mackie, the idea that hard work alone is enough to achieve success is dangerous (and not real at all). “If you do everything right, get good grades in school, study hard, exercise, have discipline… that doesn’t guarantee anything”, he said. But… what happens when success isn’t earned? What does this mean? That not everything always plays in our Favor. And while it doesn’t take away the value of personal effort, he believes that luck, circumstances, and connections play a fundamental role.
And indeed, many experts agree: talent and hard work are key, but they’re not everything.
Mackie’s story
Mackie had been an actor for years before landing this role as Captain America, he graduated in 2001 from Juilliard School (one of the most prestigious conservatories in the US), and participated in Oscar-winning films like “The Hurt Locker” (2008). But this young man from New Orleans struggled to get into Hollywood, and not because he didn’t work hard.
The actor confirmed that he spent almost 11,000 hours training, he tried to contact Marvel Studios… and nothing. The letters he sent didn’t get him any role at the time, but he would land his role years later, even though he accepted to appear in the movie without really knowing what role he was going to play.
Blessed by luck
Mackie isn’t the only one who believes luck plays an important role in every decision, this is also affirmed by the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Charlie Munger, who says he never wanted to get rich but simply wanted to be independent and it happened. (It doesn’t happen to us, of course…)
So, no, it’s not just about work, it’s about luck and that the moment is right for you, you know what they say about “being in the right place at the right time and having the right connections”? Well, something like that.
A call to educate with realism
The actor suggests that telling kids that only personal effort determines their destiny can create frustration when things don’t turn out as expected. “I’m not saying don’t work hard” Mackie clarifies. “What I’m saying is that you should also understand that there are factors beyond your control”.
Recognizing that life has unexpected events doesn’t demotivate; on the contrary, it can help build more flexible people with greater adaptability.
How to make the most of luck?
Richard Wiseman, author of “The Luck Factor, believes that there are traits in common among those who benefit from luck, and we’re going to tell you what those traits are, of course!
- They are optimistic even in the most challenging circumstances.
- They always seize new opportunities, they’re open and adaptable to forge new connections.
- Listen to your intuition! Trust your gut and you’re more likely to make quick decisions and new opportunities will come your way.
- They bounce back quickly from setbacks, no moping around. Always a positive attitude! Even when the day is grey.
Mackie’s point of view
Anthony Mackie’s life reflects his message, “I’ve seen incredibly talented people who never got an opportunity” he confesses. He himself acknowledges that luck (and the people who believed in him) influenced his career as much as his dedication
Accepting that luck plays a role is not giving up: it’s recognizing that success isn’t guaranteed and that not everyone has the same opportunities. He invites us to be more humble and less judgmental of those who fight without seeing results. So, no, believing in luck doesn’t make us weaker, but it helps us plan with hope but without illusions!