Summary

With hisMarvel Cinematic Universecharacter finally revealed, Giancarlo Esposito goes into detail about his new villain role inCaptain America: Brave New World. Marvel Studios is enjoying the success ofDeadpool & Wolverineas their only MCU film in 2024, but there will be plenty ofMarvel movies being released in 2025. The next Phase 5 movie, which is arriving in early 2025, will beCaptain America: Brave New World, featuring Anthony Mackie back as Sam Wilson, who is now filling the role of the titular hero.

In a new interview withGamesRadar, Esposito opened up on his casting as the King of the Serpent Society inCaptain America: Brave New World. Describing that “many of the characters in this movie, inclusive of Sidewinder, are mercenaries”, the new MCU star further teased the prospect of the Serpent Society appearing alongsideSidewinder inCaptain America: Brave New World, sharing the following:

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Well, you know, in the research I’ve done when I knew that I was going to be playing the head of the Serpent Society, someone who formed it and runs it, I wanted to know more. I wanted to go back [and] figure out what are his colors, what do they look like, what do they do, what are his superpowers? …It’s all about this Adamantium, it’s all about this chemical. It’s all about what price we’re going to put on that and who’s going to have the most of it and who’s going to sell it. So in a way I think many of the characters in this movie, inclusive of Sidewinder, are mercenaries and they’re looking for the highest dollar and I think they’re looking who to sell it to and I think they’re looking for power. To bring a character from scratch in the MCU derived from a history of their comics is more than I ever dreamed for and I think the fans will not be disappointed, they’re going to love it. I’m loving it, you’re going to see a complicated, very interesting character who gets a chance to have legs over a period of time.

Prior to hisCaptain America: Brave New Worldcharacter being revealed to be Sidewinder, Esposito was a popular choice to play Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X in the MCU. In the same interview, Esposito expressed his gratitude to fans who wanted to see that happen, while also stressing why he is excited to play a character that many may not be familiar with from the comics:

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I have to say that I listened to the fans, they wanted Professor X and he’s been done in many different incarnations in the MCU and I’m so excited where I’m at. I’ve always desired to do something that has never been done before. Fans are going to freak because I have the ability in this to show not only my brain, but my physicality. I have the tools and I know how to use them. You’ve never seen me this way.

Marvel’s New Captain America Is Hiding Its Real Villain (But We’ve Already Seen Him)

Captain America: Brave New World’s main villain is hidden in plain sight, but the character has a history that stretches back to the start of the MCU.

How Captain America: Brave New World Will Tackle Serpent Society In The MCU

To this point, there have been no real hints of the Serpent Society inthe MCU timeline, which is whyCaptain America: Brave New Worldis a big deal for the audience as the organization is finally set to get its due in the franchise. As the comics have depicted the Serpent Society in various ways,Captain America: Brave New Worldis seemingly set to add something of a modern spin to them, at least from a visual standpoint based on Sidewinder’s own toned-down MCU design. However, the foundation of this group could still tap into some of the comic lore.

It wouldn’t be shocking if the Serpent Society had been around for at least a few decades within the confines of the MCU while operating in the shadows.Captain America: Brave New Worldwould have to have a reason why the group is only now coming to light, with their teased desire to acquire adamantium potentially fulfilling this role. Whether or not the group would include Sidewinder’s ties to the Serpent Squads, which in turn helped set up the Serpent Society, remains to be seen.

For long-time MCU fans, the fact thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldis set up to feature the Serpent Society is a full-circle moment. Afterthe fake announcement in 2014 ofCaptain America: Serpent Society, which was instead revealed to beCaptain America: Civil War, it will be fascinating to see how the MCU will explore the villainous group. Hopefully, the nextCaptain America: Brave New Worldtrailer will cast more light on the prospect of the MCU’s Serpent Society and their role in the film.

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.