Just days ago, Giancarlo Esposito began teasing his Marvel Cinematic Universe role, stating “The MCU has knocked on my door and it’s a role you won’t predict. It will be teased and there will be a series afterwards.” Well, it didn’t take long, but now we know from Variety that he’ll debut as part of Captain America: Brave New World, in a role that is expected to be villainous.
So that shuts down rumors of Esposito debuting as Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men. Esposito shut down the Xavier chatter himself, stating at CCXP…
“There’s something about being original. We’ve seen different versions of Professor X,” Esposito told a crowd of fans. “Wouldn’t you like to see me play a character in a Marvel movie who is original, and new, and fresh? So, mark my words: This will happen sooner than you think.”
The Breaking Bad actor will instead show up in Captain America: Brave New World, the first solo movie for Anthony Mackie as the patriotic superhero. The film will find Cap coming to the rescue of General Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford), who has been elected President of the United States, from a group of brain-washed assassins. It’s widely expected this will lead to Ross becoming the Red Hulk, as he does in the comics. Other Hulk connections include Liv Tyler as Betty Ross and Tim Blake Nelson as villain The Leader, both seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
Esposito’s role is unclear, but by the way he described it, we could see him as a brand new character or one who has never appeared on the big screen. He joins a cast that also includes Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Rosa Salazar, Xosha Roquemore, and WWE superstar Seth Rollins. The film is directed by Julius Onah.
Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on Feb. 14th 2025.
