Summary:
- Acclaimed star Giancarlo Esposito revealed that he will join the MCU for a mystery role.
- When asked about when he will join the MCU, the actor only answered that his character would arrive “sooner rather than later.”
- There’s a good chance that Esposito will portray a villain role in The Fantastic Four, Blade, or Captain America: Brave New World.
Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito is poised to join the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe. While he’s officially on board, the specifics of his role remain shrouded in mystery.
Speaking at a recent panel at CCXP on the Thunder Stage, Esposito shared the exciting news, as reported by Collider. Although he’s been vocal about his desire to portray Professor X in the MCU’s take on the X-Men, he confirmed that he will not be taking on the role of Charles Xavier. While it’s shocking, this information makes sense, since Sir Patrick Stewart is said to reprise the role of the X-Men leader.
Instead, Esposito hinted that his character would arrive “sooner rather than later,” making Marvel fans wonder which role he would take in the MCU.
The Mandalorian star expressed enthusiasm about the character he will play, and seemingly enjoyed it, teasing that it will be “better than you can imagine.” He left the audience guessing whether he would step into the shoes of a hero or a villain, sparking widespread speculation.
One intriguing possibility is his involvement in 2025’s The Fantastic Four, as the casting for the film’s antagonist remains open. This could see Esposito potentially portraying one of the two biggest villains to the iconic Marvel team: Galactus or Doctor Doom. Besides, the Better Call Saul star could also have a role in the upcoming Blade movie, which will start filming this Fall, and the casting choices are still undisclosed.
Captain America: Brave New World is another stage where Esposito can shine as a villain, as Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk and Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader aren’t the only antagonists in the film, according to some sources.
Fans even suggest that Esposito will make his MCU debut in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine as a cameo, before transitioning into Phase 5 as a permanent character. In fact, since Stewart’s Charles Xavier is also rumored to be in the film, Esposito could play a Charles Xavier variant, referencing his desire to play the veteran mutant.
The actor has long been on Marvel’s radar, sharing in 2022 his conversations with Marvel Studios. “I’ve been in a room with [Marvel Studios] and talked with them,” Esposito revealed, adding that he had discussed various iconic roles including Magneto and Doctor Doom, along with Professor X.
While Esposito himself also wants to portray the renowned X-Men, it seems that Marvel currently has other plans for the 66-year-old. For now, we can only wait and see how, and when Esposito will make his grand entrance to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
