Summary
Captain America: Brave New Worldis exciting for many reasons, but I am worried about the number of villains the story contains.Captain America 4’s story, after lengthy delays, will finally come to theaters in February 2025. What I’m most excited about is getting to see Anthony Mackie’s Captain America in his first solo adventure, even if it is coming too late afterThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Nevertheless,Captain America 4is one of my most anticipatedupcoming MCU movies.
Another reason for my excitement about the movie isCaptain America 4’s strong cast. Led by Mackie, the involvement of actors like Harrison Ford, Tim Blake Nelson, Carl Lumbly, and Giancarlo Esposito only further raises the high bar set by the movie’s premise. That said, all of the actors listed here are playing villains - or misguided antagonists - inCaptain America: Brave New World,bringing to light one significant worry I have about the film aside from minor gripes that Sam’s new look will overtake his original Phase 4 outfit.
Captain America’s Original Phase 4 Costume Confirmed In Brave New World Set Photos
New Captain America: Brave New World set photos reveal the latest look at Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, now back in a very familiar MCU costume.
Captain America 4 Has A Concerning Number Of Villains
The Number Of Villains Threaten To Bury Sam Wilson’s Hero Story
Worryingly,Captain America 4’s villain roster is incredibly overstuffed. The primary villain of the film is expected to be Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns/The Leader. While I cannot deny the sheer excitement at getting to see the character in all his glory after he was teased almost two decades ago inThe Incredible Hulk,he could be overshadowed by other villains. Harrison Ford was recently cast in the movie as Thunderbolt Ross, another antagonistic presence who will clash with Mackie’s Captain America.
On top of these two characters, footage from CinemaCon seemed to imply thatCaptain America 4’s Isaiah Bradley- played by Lumbly - will be an antagonist of sorts in the film. The footage showcased Bradley shooting into a group of U.S. politicians, seemingly as a sleeper agent like the Winter Soldier before him. This marks three villains, or brainwashed antagonists in Bradley’s case, already forCaptain America: Brave New World,and that is without mentioningSabra - the MCU’s Israeli superhero- who could fall into the story as a villain to Sam Wilson.
Captain America: Brave New World Recently Added Giancarlo Esposito As Another Marvel Villain
A New Addition In Captain America 4 Reshoots Adds Yet Another Villain To The Story
To make matters worse, set photos fromCaptain America 4’s recent reshoots revealed that Giancarlo Esposito has joined the film as an unknown Marvel villain. Do not get me wrong, Giancarlo Esposito is a fantastic actor and plays villains better than most in Hollywood, so I am excited to see what he does in the MCU. However,his addition does not help my worry thatCaptain America: Brave New World’s story is simply overstuffed with antagonists to go up against Sam.
Many theories indicate that Esposito will play William Stryker in the MCU, a common X-Men villain.
While the set photos did not outright confirm that Esposito is playing a villain in the film, reports from trades likeThe Hollywood ReporterandVarietyconfirmed his antagonistic role. This means thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldwill have three outright villains and an antagonist/antihero in Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley. If Sabra is on the opposite side of whatever fight Sam Wilson is involved in, that would mark five potential villains in the film. This is a staggering amount, and I am worried that the film will struggle to handle it from a storytelling perspective.
Which Marvel Villain Is Giancarlo Esposito Playing In The MCU? 10 Best Captain America Theories
Esposito has described his character as an “agent of chaos” and he will appear in Brave New World before a larger role in a series.
Giancarlo Esposito Deserves More Than Being Typecast As A Villain
Another Problem Is Raised By Captain America 4’s Newest Villain
As I alluded to, Esposito is a brilliant actor and has proven at length that he is an expert at playing villains. However, his inclusion inCaptain America: Brave New World -when combined with most of his roles in past projects - proves a sad reality.Giancarlo Esposito is an endlessly charismatic, charming, funny man who deserves big roles with a greater range, rather than being typecast as a cold, calculated, ruthless villain. Although it makes sense for studios to cast Esposito in a role that emulates his breakout performance as Gustavo Fring inBreaking Bad, it has become tiring.
Esposito’s role in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing proves how well he works as an eccentric, confident character.
From Moff Gideon inStar Wars’The Mandalorianand Stan Edgar inThe Boysto Castillo in the video gameFar Cry 6, Esposito is rarely able to break free of Gus' clones. Many hoped that casting the actor in the MCU would allow for this, with fan casts often pinning Esposito as Professor X. I admit, this would have been fantastic, but it remains the case that he will play another villain inCaptain America: Brave New World.Not only is this undeserving of his obvious charisma, but it worsens my worries over the film’s absurd number of villains.
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.
