Esposito’s recent description of his MCU villain calls to mind one clear choice for the actor to play when he debuts in Brave New World.

Giancarlo Esposito has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. While the performer recently spoke about wishing to play a hero, everything known about Brave New World indicates that the Do The Right Thing star is joining the universe as a villain. Esposito gained prominence on the AMC crime drama Breaking Bad, portraying Gus Fring. Esposito was celebrated for his performance, which was cold, calculating, and terrifying. His success in Breaking Bad led the actor to play similar roles in programs like The Mandalorian and The Boys.

Following set photos showing Esposito’s MCU villain, speculation about the character that the actor will portray has grown rampant. Esposito has spoken briefly of his role, indicating that he will appear as an original character in a movie and then in a series. While the term original character could mean that Esposito’s villain is not based on comic book lore, what seems more likely is that the character he plays has not yet appeared in Marvel cinema. This understanding helps to greatly reduce the list of possibilities Esposito may be playing, pinpointing one excellent, likely option.

Giancarlo Esposito’s New MCU Villain Background Explained

An Agent Of Chaos With Ties To The Avengers

Jacob Fury, AKA Scorpio, is the perfect character for Esposito to play in the MCU. The villain debuted in 1968 as Nick Fury’s bitter, estranged younger brother, who turned to a life of crime. Following Nick Fury’s great successes, Jake grew resentful of the hero. In the comic books, Jake tried to follow his brother’s path in fighting in World War II but found it to be ill-suited to his temperament. This inability to find success further fuels the character’s bitterness, turning him against his brother in an attempt to distinguish himself.

Jake Fury has lived many lives in the comics and has occasionally had powers that allowed him to transform into water. The character has been one of the heads of HYDRA and has experienced lows that have driven him to self-immolation. He is most memorably known for his appearance in the Zodiac cartel, where he appeared as the masked villain Scorpio. During this time, he disguised himself as his brother and successfully infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.

Theory: Giancarlo Esposito Is Playing Jacob Fury

With a nine-year difference between the actors, Esposito is well poised to play the younger brother of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. While the actor generally shows an unshaken, terrifying core of resolve, Esposito can shine when he is able to break from that facade and react with emotion, even desperation. His portrayal of Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian gave him the chance to do some of this, but Jake Fury would allow him to go even further.

Decked in tactical gear with a set of knives and a pair of sunglasses, Esposito looks the part of Jake Fury, who wishes to present himself as stronger and more in control than he is. A terrifying version of this figure who can be an agent of chaos against the Avengers fits Esposito’s description, and the character is original in that he has not appeared in any Marvel film. Following Captain America with a larger role as the villain in a series like Hawkeye or Ms. Marvel season 2 would make sense, so long as Nick Fury also appears.

What This Means For Nick Fury And Val

Boasting a long legacy in the MCU that has included keeping authority alive in the decimation of S.H.I.E.L.D. with the creation of S.A.B.R.E. and the successful implementation of the Avengers initiative, it has been speculated that Nick Fury’s MCU story may be ending. This will not be the case with the introduction of Jake Fury, who will likely set out to destroy everything his brother has done. The decimation of the Avengers, the re-implementation of Hydra, and reminding the public of the worst things Nick Fury has done would likely be on Jake’s to-do list, fitting Fury’s current arc.

The events of Captain America: Brave New World, with the President of the United States potentially transforming into the Red Hulk, could deliver a devastating blow to faith in the government. This crisis will create a complex issue for Valentina, whose Thunderbolts may be seen as an apparatus of this government. It also provides an opportunity for Jake Fury to sow seeds of doubt, further destabilizing the situation. As a harbinger of chaos, Jake could use these complications to elevate himself and his groups, be it the Zodiac cartel or HYDRA, in the public eye.

Giancarlo is such a skilled and compelling performer that there are countless characters he could play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both hero and villain alike. However, it is Jacob Fury, a lesser-known villain with significant ties to the existing MCU, who is a perfect fit for the actor’s abilities and would allow him to create something new and iconic. Seeing Giancarlo Esposito appear in Captain America: Brave New World before a larger presence in the universe is an exciting prospect for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a rich and hopeful development for the series’ future.