With his Marvel Cinematic Universe character finally revealed, Giancarlo Esposito goes into detail about his new villain role in Captain America: Brave New World. Marvel Studios is enjoying the success of Deadpool & Wolverine as their only MCU film in 2024, but there will be plenty of Marvel movies being released in 2025. The next Phase 5 movie, which is arriving in early 2025, will be Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Anthony Mackie back as Sam Wilson, who is now filling the role of the titular hero.

In a new interview with GamesRadar, Esposito opened up on his casting as the King of the Serpent Society in Captain America: Brave New World. Describing that “many of the characters in this movie, inclusive of Sidewinder, are mercenaries“, the new MCU star further teased the prospect of the Serpent Society appearing alongside Sidewinder in Captain America: Brave New World, sharing the following:

Well, you know, in the research I’ve done when I knew that I was going to be playing the head of the Serpent Society, someone who formed it and runs it, I wanted to know more. I wanted to go back [and] figure out what are his colors, what do they look like, what do they do, what are his superpowers? …It’s all about this Adamantium, it’s all about this chemical. It’s all about what price we’re going to put on that and who’s going to have the most of it and who’s going to sell it. So in a way I think many of the characters in this movie, inclusive of Sidewinder, are mercenaries and they’re looking for the highest dollar and I think they’re looking who to sell it to and I think they’re looking for power. To bring a character from scratch in the MCU derived from a history of their comics is more than I ever dreamed for and I think the fans will not be disappointed, they’re going to love it. I’m loving it, you’re going to see a complicated, very interesting character who gets a chance to have legs over a period of time.

Prior to his Captain America: Brave New World character being revealed to be Sidewinder, Esposito was a popular choice to play Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X in the MCU. In the same interview, Esposito expressed his gratitude to fans who wanted to see that happen, while also stressing why he is excited to play a character that many may not be familiar with from the comics:

I have to say that I listened to the fans, they wanted Professor X and he’s been done in many different incarnations in the MCU and I’m so excited where I’m at. I’ve always desired to do something that has never been done before. Fans are going to freak because I have the ability in this to show not only my brain, but my physicality. I have the tools and I know how to use them. You’ve never seen me this way.

How Captain America: Brave New World Will Tackle Serpent Society In The MCU

To this point, there have been no real hints of the Serpent Society in the MCU timeline, which is why Captain America: Brave New World is a big deal for the audience as the organization is finally set to get its due in the franchise. As the comics have depicted the Serpent Society in various ways, Captain America: Brave New World is seemingly set to add something of a modern spin to them, at least from a visual standpoint based on Sidewinder’s own toned-down MCU design. However, the foundation of this group could still tap into some of the comic lore.

It wouldn’t be shocking if the Serpent Society had been around for at least a few decades within the confines of the MCU while operating in the shadows. Captain America: Brave New World would have to have a reason why the group is only now coming to light, with their teased desire to acquire adamantium potentially fulfilling this role. Whether or not the group would include Sidewinder’s ties to the Serpent Squads, which in turn helped set up the Serpent Society, remains to be seen.

For long-time MCU fans, the fact that Captain America: Brave New World is set up to feature the Serpent Society is a full-circle moment. After the fake announcement in 2014 of Captain America: Serpent Society, which was instead revealed to be Captain America: Civil War, it will be fascinating to see how the MCU will explore the villainous group. Hopefully, the next Captain America: Brave New World trailer will cast more light on the prospect of the MCU’s Serpent Society and their role in the film.