Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen Board Barracuda, an Action Thriller With Bite

Just when you think the Marvel assembly line can’t crank out another headline, here comes another crossover moment—this time, offscreen. If you’ve kept up with the last couple of years, you know the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s box office track record has had its ups and downs. Even so, the franchise still pulls in massive crowds and launches its stars into totally new pop culture territory. We’re talking big-time celebrity glow-ups.

Case in point: Anthony Mackie (now a staple as Captain America) and Dafne Keen (a legit scene-stealer as X-23 in 'Logan,' before jumping over to the MCU's 'Deadpool and Wolverine') are about to share the screen for the first time. Not in capes, not in spandex, but in an action thriller that sounds like it could deliver something new for both of them.

So what’s the new gig?

Deadline reports that director Neil Berger—the guy behind 'Divergent,' 'Limitless,' and yes, the surprisingly twisty 'The Illusionist'—is kicking off production on a film called 'Barracuda.' Filming is set to start this week in Mexico. If you were waiting for more MCU stars to collaborate outside the Marvel sandbox, this is your shot.

The main players

• Anthony Mackie: If you somehow missed his Marvel arc, he started as Sam Wilson/Falcon, climbed his way up to wielding the shield, and will hit a grand total of ten MCU appearances with the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday' (the one with the record-smashing trailer views).
• Dafne Keen: She made a memorable debut as Laura, aka X-23, opposite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in 2017. Fast forward and she’s now officially part of the MCU, reprising her mutant role in 2024's 'Deadpool and Wolverine'—a film that, weirdly enough, stands as Marvel’s only movie this year.

What’s especially fun about 'Barracuda' (aside from watching these two flex their action chops in a non-superhero setting) is that it’s directed by someone with a reputation for clever thrillers. So expect something twistier than your average chase-and-explode flick.

Why does this feel like a big deal?

MCU actors mixing it up together outside of their usual superhero roles is rare, considering how busy they get and how contractually entangled they usually are. Having Mackie and Keen lead a totally new action movie at the same time Marvel is shifting gears? Let’s just say the studio synergy is alive and well.

Production is rolling in Mexico right now, so expect more casting news and set leaks to trickle out soon. For now, 'Barracuda' just became a movie to watch if you’re into seeing Marvel alums tackle something with a different flavor.

'The movie is confirmed to begin production this week in Mexico.'

That’s all we’ve got for now, but you can bet more info will surface as shooting gets underway. Marvel’s everywhere, and sometimes, that collision makes for something worth paying attention to.