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Anthony Mackie complicates dirty cops in Triple 9

9-9-9 is police code for an officer down. Triple 9’s plot deals with an officer getting shot, and the surprising way it happened.

Triple 9's Anthony Mackie on his 68 questions

9 years ago
Duration 2:09
Anthony Mackie chats with Shad about the 68 questions he asks himself when prepping for a role.

There's a very thin line between a good cop and a dirty cop, says Anthony Mackie. It's a line he's forced to walk as as officer Marcus Belmont in the new heist movie Triple 9

Here's the full interview:



The film centres on the surprising lead up to and aftermath of a 9-9-9, code for "officer down". And while the plot is thrilling and fast-paced, Mackie says the real highlight of the film is that even supporting characters are given a full narrative arc. "You never get to see that," says the Juilliard-trained actor. "It's very rare." 
9-9-9 is police code for officer down. Triple 9’s plot deals with a cop getting shot, and the surprising way it happened. (Fabiola Carletti/CBC)


Mackie — known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and Marvel's Cinematic Universe — joins Shad to shed light on the 68 questions he answers for every role, the diverse cast (including real, rival gang members) that sets the film apart, and the importance of seeing your character through other people's eyes.   

"Life is about perception", he says. "It's not so much about how you act, but how people perceive your actions."

WEB EXTRA | The action-packed film features a strong cast with Mackie starring opposite the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, and Kate Winslet, as well as breakout TV stars Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead).