Fans got their first taste of Giancarlo Esposito’s mysterious role in the upcoming Captain America film at San Diego Comic-Con. In a dramatic on-stage announcement, Esposito revealed he will portray the snake-themed villain Sidewinder, leader of the criminal group Serpent Society.
Little has been known about Esposito’s part in Captain America: Brave New World until now. Speculation ran rampant after paparazzi spotted the private actor in tactical gear on set. Esposito hints that his nuanced take on Sidewinder veers from the character’s comic book roots.
In Marvel lore, Sidewinder began as college professor Seth Voelker before founding the mercenary Serpent Society. Esposito says the MCU version finds complexity in Voelker’s journey from respected academic to criminal overlord. “He plays against expectations,” teased the actor about challenging preconceptions of the villain.
Esposito has a knack for imbuing gray-area antagonists with layers in critically-acclaimed shows like Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. His physically-demanding portrayal also marks a departure from typically cerebral roles. Details on the film’s plot under wraps, but the Serpent Society’s presence sets the stage for grounded threats to new Captain America Anthony Mackie.
Producer Kevin Feige gave a lighthearted callback to a decade-old running joke, revealing the 2014-teased “Captain America: Serpent Society” was partially in jest. Esposito’s compelling Sidewinder leads this formidable faction, ensuring a formidable challenge when the film releases next February. Fans can’t wait to see the actor sink his teeth into this complex new baddie.
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