Summary
Giancarlo Esposito is set to join the MCU as a villain who will debut inCaptain America: Brave New World, but the actor’s comments make his mystery casting even more exciting.Captain America: Brave New Worldwill introduce Anthony Mackie’s Captain America in his feature film debut. While the character was first established in his new role inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the upcoming movie will see him dive head first into his new role.
Along with Sam Wilson stepping up to bear the shield, there is a growing number of villains who will be featured, with spectacular actors filling out the cast, includingHarrison Ford as Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, who will likely become the Red Hulk, and Tim Blake Nelson reprising his role as Samuel Sterns from the 2008The Incredible Hulkmovie transforming into the incredibly intelligent foe, The Leader. However, in an as yet unrevealed role,Giancarlo Esposito, who played the eerily calm villain Gus FringinBreaking Bad, will also square up against Cap.
Who Is The Leader? Captain America: Brave New World’s Hidden Villain Explained
The Leader will be flying in the face of convention by debuting as a villain in Captain America: Brave New World and here’s what can be expected.
Giancarlo Esposito’s Captain America: Brave New World Villain Promise Makes His Upcoming MCU Debut So Exciting
Giancarlo Esposito Excels At Playing Villains
In a recent interview with Deadline, Esposito hinted that his MCU villain will be something that goes beyond the characters he has played up to this point (viaComicbook.com). While many of Esposito’s most imposing villains have proven to be a significant threat due to their cunning and intelligence,Esposito has promised that his MCU character is also a threat physically. Allowing the actor to approach the character in multiple dimensions and making them a significant threat in other ways could elevate his performance beyond previous roles.
Acting is using every part of your body, your emotions, your senses, your feelings, to portray something. But you haven’t seen me use my body in a way that I’ll be using it. The MCU’s exciting; I can’t tell you who I’m playing, but you’re going to be excited when you see.
Considering Esposito’s masterful performances asGus Fring inBreaking Bad, and Moff Gideon inThe Mandalorian, there isno doubt he will deliver a performance that will stand out. However, this promise and hinting at using every part of himself to perform in the role gives Esposito more room than ever before to create a character that strikes fear into the hearts of his rivals. And considering his enemies are Earth’s mightiest heroes, it’s going to take a pretty remarkable individual to embody the character.
What Marvel Character Match Giancarlo Esposito’s MCU Casting Promise
Standing Up Against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
Considering the above remarks, the character will need to be a fairly notable figure in the Marvel universe. This opens the door for Esposito to potentially play some of the comics' heaviest hitters, and big bads from across the comics. A physically imposing rival that could stand up against Captain America and continue toprove a threat to the other heroes in later entries would need to be a big name. Fortunately, there is an abundance of these foes to choose from.
Esposito could appear as another variant of Kang, potentially setting up the upcomingAvengers 5movie and continuing the Multiverse Saga’s underlying storyline. Alternatively, he could appear as Doctor Doom, who has frequently been hailed as one of the most significant villains in Marvel history. This would create a foundation for the character ahead of the 2025The Fantastic Fourmovie. Otherwise, Esposito may tackle another less notablevillain inCaptain America: Brave New World, but with his considerable talents, he has the potential to fill some of the biggest shoes when it comes to villains for the MCU.
Captain America: Brave New World
Cast
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
