Giancarlo Esposito discusses his "badass" MCU character

The one and only Giancarlo Esposito, who’s been fancast in more MCU roles than I can count, has finally landed a gig in the superhero world. The man who brought us Gus Fring and Moff Gideon is about to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he’s promising us something truly epic.

At the premiere of his latest flick, MaXXXine, Esposito dropped some juicy hints about his upcoming Marvel role. He told Deadline, "When you see me in the MCU, you’re going to see a badass and I’m excited for that." Now, if that doesn't get your heart racing, I don't know what will. Giancarlo went on to say, "You haven’t really seen me use my body in a way I’ll be using it. The MCU is exciting. I can’t tell you who I play, but you’re gonna be excited when you see it." Oh, the suspense is killing us, Giancarlo!

You can check out the interview clip below:

And now, the million-dollar question: Who could he be playing?

The internet is buzzing with theories. A set photo released in early June showed Esposito's character armed to the teeth, and fans have been going wild with speculation ever since. Could he be Bushman? Willis Stryker? Shatterstar? The possibilities are endless, and so far, no one’s been able to pin it down. This mystery man is set to make his debut in Captain America: Brave New World, hitting theaters on February 14th, 2025. What a lovely Valentine's Day date this would make.

Let’s dive into some wild speculation because what’s more fun than that? Esposito mentioned that his role will be teased and followed by a series. This opens up so many possibilities. Could he be a villain so compelling that he gets his own spin-off series? Or maybe he’s a character with deep ties to the Marvel universe, one who will play a significant role in the future phases of the MCU? Considering Esposito’s knack for playing complex, multi-layered villains, it’s hard not to imagine him as someone like Norman Osborn. Imagine him as the cunning and ruthless Green Goblin, plotting against our beloved heroes while building his own sinister empire. Or perhaps he’s playing a character who’s yet to make a splash on the big screen but has a cult following in the comics, like the aforementioned Bushman, a major antagonist of Moon Knight. This would tie in perfectly with Marvel’s current trajectory of exploring darker, more mature themes.

Another tantalizing theory? Esposito could be stepping into the shoes of a character connected to Wakanda. With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever still fresh in our minds and the world of Wakanda expanding, what if Esposito is portraying a new threat to the kingdom? A warlord or a rival leader, perhaps? This would set up some incredible crossovers and story arcs. With all this anticipation, let’s not forget about the cosmic side of Marvel. Esposito’s character could very well be tied to the universe’s larger, more intergalactic storylines.

One thing’s for sure: Giancarlo Esposito’s entry into the MCU is a game-changer. His charisma, acting skills, and sheer presence are sure to elevate any role he takes on. We’re on the edge of our seats, eagerly waiting for more clues and that big reveal.

Who could Giancarlo Esposito be playing? While we wait for more details, we have no choice but to speculate quietly. February 14th, 2025 can't come soon enough.