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Anthony Mackie had long been in the entertainment industry before debuting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his position as the new Captain America further cemented his position as one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. Soon, his solo movie as the respective character, Captain America 4, will be hitting the screens, only to elevate his stardom even more.

Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Brave New World. | Credits: Marvel Studios.

But while he holds many commendable acting credits to his name, Mackie has also gotten entangled with some controversial works. Like the racist drama The Banker, which saw him lead. But as good as the movie was, it got itself under the wrong limelight after getting bogged down by the wildest s-xual abuse scandal by none other than the film’s protagonist’s very own daughter.

Anthony Mackie’s The Banker Was a Whirlwind of Offscreen Controversy

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Clockwise from top left: The Beanie Bubble, Tetris, The Banker, Causeway (all Apple TV+)Graphic: AVClub

Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu, which each offer movies to stream from many studios both large and small, Apple TV+ focuses almost exclusively on Apple Originals that are, for the most part, only available on its platform.

The key to telling an historical drama, no matter what the subject matter is, often centers on the entertainment factor. Even if the story is deadly serious, if your audience is not having a good time, your ship is sunk. That doesn’t mean a Holocaust movie or a film about slavery needs to be fun, but there needs to be captivating actor, a narrative you invest in, and an overall feeling that what you’re watching isn’t homework. Luckily, The Banker checks off all of these boxes. The first foray into prestige cinema by Apple TV+ is a charming, as well as important, success story. Delayed from 2019 into 2020, it’s likely no longer an Academy Award hopeful, but it’s still a story well executed and well worth seeing. The film is a drama, somewhat fictionalizing the true story of how two African American men secretly started a business empire in the 1960s.

Anthony Mackie, Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson and Nicholas Hoult in “The Banker,” coming soon to Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+

In the true-story based The Banker, two black businessmen have an audacious plan in pre-Civil Rights 1954: use a white former handyman as a front to to buy real estate in whites-only areas of segregated Los Angeles, circumventing then-legal discrimination, with the intention to rent to black lawyers and doctors who integrate those neighborhoods. Having made a fortune with that plan, the pair come up with an even bolder one, to buy a small town bank in Jim Crow-era Texas, with the intention of making home loans available to black families.

Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson star as the two black entrepreneurs, young, buttoned-down, math genius Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and born-rich, playboy club owner Joe Morris (Jackson). The Banker starts out with a fun, caper film vibe to it.

, “The Banker” tells the little-known story of Bernard Garrett, a brilliant and enterprising black man who broke through two of America’s most racist industries by hiring a white handyman to play the face of his business. Considered in that context, it’s “BlackKklansman” for math nerds, but absent the shit-stirring righteousness that made Spike Lee’s film so much fun.

On the contrary, this wooden tale of socioeconomic privilege is as stiff and disjointed as a middle school play, with every line of over-enunciated dialogue pitched to the rafters so that all of the parents can hear it (save for a third act so full of banking jargon you’d need an Mba to make sense of it all). Even if the Apple TV+ drama hadn’t been postponed due to credible allegations of sexual abuse and wanton revisionism, it would still reek of inauthenticity. Garrett’s victories are too convenient,...

With new streaming services there must come new content, and so it is that Apple TV+ has produced “The Banker,” a biographical film about Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, two black real estate developers who, when obstructed by racist banks, used cleverness and guile to purchase the banks’ own buildings in the 1960s.

It’s the kind of act of rebellion that makes for an excellent story and, potentially, an excellent film. Garrett and Morris used wit, duplicity and even elaborate costumes to strike a blow against institutionalized racism while becoming, themselves, powerful and successful and wealthy men. It should be easy to connect with their underdog story, to enjoy their righteous con jobs, and to stick by their side when the scheme comes crashing down.

Unfortunately, “The Banker” is the kind of biopic that takes serious issues of race and tries to make them palatable, whether or not it feels genuine.

“The Banker” is one of the rare movies centered on a bank that isn’t about robbing it. That doesn’t mean the film is short on scams or deceptions. Based on historic events that took place in the 1950s and ’60s, “The Banker” tells the true story of Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), a wily pair of African-American entrepreneurs who made themselves part of the real-estate game in Los Angeles, with the goal of getting rich (which they did) and, at the same time, of breaking the color line, making it possible for black citizens to move into formerly all-white neighborhoods.

Knowing that the real-estate business is the right arm of the banking business, the two sought to maneuver their way into the latter. Yet due to the color of their skin, they could barely get through the door. So they recruited a white man,...

After its awards-season release was stymied by allegations of inaccuracy and sexual abuse, “The Banker” has been cleared for release by Apple. The film starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nicholas Hoult will be released theatrically March 6 before dropping on the Apple TV+ two weeks later.

The George Nolfi-directed movie is based on the true story of black businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who devise a plan to take on the racist 1960s establishment by training a working-class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire — while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. Their success catches the attention of the federal government, which risks the empire they have built.

The real-life Garrett’s son, Bernard Garrett Jr. initially had a co-producer credit on the film and was part...

“The Banker” director George Nolfi and the movie’s cast, crew, producers, and writers signed an open letter published Monday defending the film based on the life of African American businessman Bernard Garrett. Distributor Apple delayed its release last month after Garrett’s daughter Cynthia Garrett accused her half brother Bernard Garrett Jr., one of the film’s producers, of sexual abuse and helping craft an inaccurate narrative of their father’s life. The filmmakers in their letter wrote the film was based not on the memories of the Garrett children, but from interviews with Garrett himself, and transcripts, court rulings, and media reports. (Via Variety).

In the statement, Nolfi, cast members Anthony Mackie (who protrays Garrett), Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, and others, expressed sympathy for Cynthia Garrett in light of allegations that Garrett Jr. sexually abused her as a child, but defended the film and “its positive message of empowerment.

Breaking: On the week that their film was supposed to open in theaters as Apple’s first theatrical release, the makers of The Banker — above and below the line — have issued a statement in solidarity and support for the message contained within a feature film that became embattled when Apple abruptly pulled it from the coveted AFI closing night slot and indefinitely postponed its theatrical release. Apple took those steps after allegations were made in social media posts by Cynthia Garrett — daughter of the film’s main character Bernard Garrett Sr — that her half brother Bernard Garrett Jr (who was listed as co-producer) molested her and her sister decades ago. Garrett Jr has denied those charges and his name immediately disappeared from the producing credits, which he said was his decision. Garrett Jr’s name also doesn’t appear among the 53 who signed the statement below.

Cynthia Garrett has also...

Apple has made the last minute decision to cancel the world premiere of “The Banker,” which was set to close out AFI Fest on Thursday, as the company reportedly investigates charges made by a family member of the late Bernard Garrett Sr., the man played by Anthony Mackie in the film.

An AFI Fest spokesperson confirmed that the film has been pulled from the Los Angeles festival’s slate and replaced with Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.” That movie, though widely lauded, has already been released in theaters.

“We support Apple’s decision to postpone the premiere of ‘The Banker.” Fortunately our partners at Netflix have generously allowed us to screen the critically acclaimed ‘Marriage Story’ to close out AFI Fest tomorrow at the Tcl Chinese Theater,” the spokesperson said.

Apple offered this statement to Deadline:

“We purchased ‘The Banker’ earlier this year as we were moved by the...

Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie are sharing the screen again in Apple TV+'s new movie The Banker. The film, which is set in 1950s Los Angeles, follows the true story of Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), the first Black bankers in American history. In the first trailer, the Marvel alums team up to build their very own real estate and banking empire. After enlisting the help of a white man named Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult) to pretend to be the face of their company, the two are able to run the operation behind the scenes. The film is set to hit theaters on Dec. 6 before coming to Apple TV+ on Jan. 31, 2020. In the meantime, watch the first trailer above.

AppleTV+ has launched the trailer for real-life drama ‘The Banker’ starring Avengers co-stars Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Anthony Mackie (The Falcon).

Directed by George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau) and produced by Joe Viertel. Brad Feinstein produced under his Romulus Entertainment banner, along with producers Nolfi, Nnamdi Asomugha, Jonathan Baker, David Lewis Smith, and Anthony Mackie.

Also in trailers – Henry Cavill stars in new trailer for ‘The Witcher’

The film hits Us cinemas on December 6th before heading over to Apple TV+ in January.

The Banker Synopsis

Based on a true story, the film centres on revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), who devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racially oppressive establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream. Along with Garrett’s wife Eunice (Nia Long), they train a working-class white man, Matt Steiner...

Apple has released the trailer for another project coming to their upcoming streaming service, Apple TV+. The Banker stars Marvel Cinematic Universe alums Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Avengers) as trailblazing businessmen who take on the racially oppressive banking system of the 1960s because according to Nia Long's Eunice, "It's time that someone shine a bright light in order for things to change."

Based on a true story, the film centers on Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) as they create a plan to help other African Americans pursue the American Dream despite the racist establishment in place trying to prevent them. To do so, they train Matt Steiner, a working-class white man, to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire.

At the time, it was nearly impossible for African Americans...

Joseph Baxter Jan 17, 2020

Apple TV+ movie The Banker reunites Avengers actors Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie, joined by Nicholas Hoult, for a fact-based drama.

The Banker is a big-names-headlined feature film that will complement a rapidly-expanding array of television content for the just-launched premium streaming service, Apple TV+.

...And by “big names,” we mean two members in good standing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Avengers, Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie. However, the thing for which the duo will assemble here is a 1960s-set drama in which they play the U.S.’s first African-American bankers, who initially had to operate behind a white figurehead they trained, played here by Nicholas Hoult. – Essentially a version of the Remington Steele gambit.

George Nolfi stepped in as director for The Banker, working off a fact-based script that he co-wrote with Niceole Levy, along with burgeoning scribes David Lewis Smith and Stan Younger,...

Apple has released the first trailer for The Banker, which will be released as an Apple TV+ original film. Directed by George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau), the true-story drama stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie as Joe Morris and Bernard Garrett, respectively, two revolutionary businessmen who devised a risky plan to help African Americans pursue the American dream in the 1960s. Although smart and capable, as black men living in the 60s Morris and Garrett were unable to realize their full potential, so they enlisted a working class white man named Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult) to serve as …...

How do you end segregation and racial inequality in America? In the first trailer for “The Banker” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie, you do it by buying land back from white folks one plot at a time.

“The Banker” is based on the true story of two real estate investors and businessmen, Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who managed to buy banks and homes in all-white neighborhoods and loan it back to black people looking to find their own American dream in a still segregated world that made that dream difficult.

But to manage their risky plan, they trained a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), to pose as them in all their business transactions and learn how to talk to rich white people. Eventually though, their plan caught the attention of the federal government that made it a little more complicated.

Also Read:...

Another film from a major streaming service is squeaking its way, last minute, into the awards-season corridor. Apple TV+’s “The Banker” has just been announced as the closing night film of AFI Fest 2019, finishing the Los Angeles-based festival on Thursday, November 21, at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The event will mark the film’s world premiere. Starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, and Nia Long, “The Banker” is directed by George Nolfi, who helmed 2011’s Philip K. Dick adaptation “The Adjustment Bureau” (a box-office disappointment at the time that has become something of a cult hit).

Though “The Banker” isn’t the first movie from Apple TV+, it’s the first that nobody has seen yet. Apple scooped the documentary “The Elephant Queen” (releasing October 18) and the drama “Hala” (November 22) out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. For “The Banker,” Bleecker Street will handle theatrical distribution, opening...

AFI Fest has set the world premiere of Apple’s The Banker, starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult and Nia Long, as its closing-night film on November 21 at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Here’s the logline for director George Nolfi’s film: Based on a true story, The Banker centers on revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream. Along with Garret’s wife Eunice (Long), they train a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire – while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. Their success ultimately draws the attention of the federal government, which threatens everything the four have built.

Apple is kicking off its foray into film by playing ball with Hollywood. The tech giant on Friday announced theatrical release dates for its first three films, coming this fall.

First comes the company’s acclaimed wildlife documentary “The Elephant Queen,” which will open in theaters on Oct. 18 before landing on Apple’s Apple TV+ streaming service Nov. 1.

The documentary, which Apple describes as “a genre-redefining film,” follows Athena, an elephant matriarch who will do everything in her power to protect her family when they are forced to leave their watering hole. “The Elephant Queen” is a story of love, loss and coming home, and is a timely love letter to a species that could be gone from our planet in a generation.

Also Read: Apple's Movies Will Hit Theaters Weeks Before Its New Streaming Service (Report)

Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning wildlife documentarians Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble...

Apple on Friday announced theatrical release dates for three films set to premiere in theaters this fall followed by a drop on the company’s streaming service, which launches November 1. The Elephant Queen will open in select cities on October 18 followed by a streaming date of November 1 on the first day of the AppleTV+ service. The documentary, acquired by Apple at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival, is directed by Emmy- and Peabody-winning wildlife documentarians Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble and narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor. It follows Athena, an elephant matriarch who will do everything in her power to protect her family when they are forced to leave their watering hole.

Hala, which Apple acquired out of Sundance this year opens November 22 in select theaters with a streaming date set for December on AppleTV+. The drama, directed by Minhal Baig, follows a high school senior, Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan), who struggles to balance...

Apple is adding the historic Jim Crow-era drama “The Banker” to its Apple TV+ slate, further beefing up its planned original streaming offerings likely for theatrical release and awards consideration.

Per usual, the tech giant is tight-lipped about its plans for the George Nolfi-helmed film. An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the company is still planning to launch its streaming service in the fall, but declined to say when this or other high-profile films on its slate would be released.

Starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long, and Nicholas Hoult, “The Banker” is based on the true story of two African American entrepreneurs who seek to thwart the racial limitations of the 1950s.

Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson) recruit working-class white man Matt Steiner (Hoult) to pose as the head of their business empire while the two moguls act as a janitor and chauffeur. After making it big in California real estate,...

Apple is partnering with the director and producers of “The Banker,” a dramatic film from director George Nolfi starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult and Nia Long, to release the movie on their upcoming Apple TV+ service, the company announced Tuesday.

“The Banker” will join the slate of films and shows on Apple TV+, the tech company’s new streaming service launching this fall.

Based on true story of two African American entrepreneurs, “The Banker” follows Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who try to circumvent the racial limitations of the 1950s by recruiting a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult), to pose as the head of their business empire while they pose as a janitor and a chauffeur to monitor their businesses. Bernard’s wife Eunice (Long), plays a key role in setting up the enterprise. Garrett and Morris become extremely wealthy real estate investors...

Exclusive: In a move that might well put Apple in the awards season conversation, the company has made a big worldwide rights acquisition of The Banker, a fact-based period drama that George Nolfi directed and co-wrote.

Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson play entrepreneurs who tried to circumvent the racial limitations of the 1950s as they turned their business savvy into social activism and decided to help African Americans get loans in Texas. They enlisted a working class white man named Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult) to be their front man, educating him on what to say and how to conduct himself. The masterminds — Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson) — posed as a janitor and chauffeur, and Garrett’s wife (Nia Long) played a key role in setting up the enterprise. After becoming very wealthy real estate investors in California, they covertly purchased two banks in Texas, unheard of in...

Service declines to comment on possible theatrical release plans.

Apple has acquired drama The Banker starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long and Nicholas Hoult and is understood to be lining up an awards run for the feature this year.

The film joins a growing feature slate that includes Sundance acquisitions Hala and The Elephant Queen, the animation Wolfwalkers, and Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks in partnership with A24.

The Banker will debut on Apple TV+ when the service launches in 100 countries in autumn. Apple did not comment on its awards-qualifying theatrical distribution plans. Academy rules stipulate a...

Exclusive: Michael Harney, Colm Meaney (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Paul Ben-Victor (The Wire), and Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence) have been added to the cast of the George Nolfi-directed fact-based thriller, The Banker. Hailing from Romulus Entertainment, the pic stars Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult, and Nia Long.

Based on a screenplay from Nolfi and Niceole Levy, the film is inspired by the true account of two African American entrepreneurs, Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who during the 1950’s take on the establishment by recruiting a working-class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult) and training him to pose as the head of their business empire while they posed as a janitor and a chauffeur. Garrett and Morris become two of the wealthiest and most successful real estate owners in the country with Steiner as their frontman,...

Exclusive: Adam Ray is set to star as the lead in the upcoming film The Bellmen directed by Cameron Fife. The movie follows a charming bell captain at a popular Arizona resort who decides becoming a manager is the only way to win the girl of his dreams

The cast of The Bellmen also includes Josh Zuckerman, Jonathan Kite, Andrew Caldwell, Alphonzo McAuley, Willie Garson, Kelen Coleman, Anjali Bhimani, Richard Kind, and Thomas Lennon. Jason Adler, who developed the script with Fife, is producing under his production company Park Avenue Creative, along with June Street Productions. Kim Waltrip is executive producing.

Ray can be seen in Ballers as well as the second season of American Vandal which is currently streaming on Netflix. He can also be seen in the forthcoming Jennifer Lopez comedy Second Act. His previous credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, and the Netflix film Game Over Man.

Exclusive: Director George Nolfi has set Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult and Nia Long to star in The Banker, a fact based drama that Nolfi wrote with Niceole Levy. Romulus Entertainment is financing the film, with Brad Feinstein of Romulus producing.

The drama is based on the true story of two African American entrepreneurs, Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who during the 1950’s tried to circumvent the racial limitations of the era and take on the establishment by recruiting a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult) and training him to pose as the head of their business empire while they posed as a janitor and a chauffeur. Bernard’s wife Eunice (Nia Long), plays a key role in setting up the enterprise. Garrett and Morris become two of the wealthiest and most successful real estate owners in the country with Steiner as their front man,...