Anthony Mackie was "very anxious" about having to kiss Jennifer Connelly for new movie Shelter, because her husband Paul Bettany directed the film.
The 37-year-old actor, who is perhaps most famous for his role as Sam Wilson/Falcon in the Avengers movies, plays 45-year-old Jennifer's character Hannah's husband Tahir in the tale of a homeless couple on the streets of New York.
But the prospect of having to lock lips with Paul's wife of 13 years, was a scary one for Anthony as he was watching from behind the camera.
"It’s called Shelter and it’s about a homeless couple in New York City, and the movie is really about empathy," Paul, 44, explained during an interview on British television show Lorraine on Tuesday (26Apr16). "And it also stars Anthony Mackie who is in these Avengers movies.
He was very anxious about having to kiss my wife in front of me. I think he struggled with it!"
Paul reprises his role as Vision in the latest Marvel instalment, Captain America: Civil War. The part has given Paul's career a huge boost, and the actor admits he is forever thankful for being cast in the franchise.
"It’s changed my life, it’s been amazing, and they’re a lovely family to come back to," Paul added.
The new film sees Chris Evans return as Steve Rogers/Captain America, with Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. This time around, political dramas cause a rift between Iron Man and Captain America, and Paul thinks the plot is indicative of why the Marvel films are getting increasingly popular.
"I think the success of the franchise has been that the stories keep getting more complex - both in the interpersonal relationships between some of the superheroes but also they’re beginning to touch on things that are real world, like the unilateral intervention of the superpower," he said. "That’s really what is being discussed."
