Captain America 4 Is Introducing a Crucial Piece of X-Men Lore to the MCU

Giancarlo Esposito‘s recently revealed villain, Sidewinder, will be terrorizing Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Captain America: Brave New World, and the character already appears to have a long future in the MCU. When Esposito was first cast in the film, his role was kept a tightly guarded secret. Fans flooded social media to guess and debate who Esposito is playing in the film. However, the actor’s villainous role was announced at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, where Esposito accidentally revealed the lifespan of his villain in the MCU.

Giancarlo Esposito spoke with GamesRadar+ after Marvel Studios’ Hall H pannel at SDCC. During the conversation, the actor discussed his recently revealed role as the leader of the Serpent Society, and suggested that audiences would only see a portion of the character’s true potential in the film. Esposito’s words hinted that the character could survive the events of the film, and might become a recurring villain in the future. Esposito said:

“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? I don’t believe that all of those things will be unveiled in this movie, so I believe there will be more time you’ll get with Sidewinder.”

Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New 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.

Release Date

February 14, 2025

Director

Julius Onah

Captain America: Brave New World Will Officially Introduce Adamantium to the MCU

As well as providing Anthony Mackie with his first standalone MCU movie (take that Tom Holland) and giving Harrison Ford an opportunity to be an “idiot for money” as he plays Thunderbolt Ross/ a.k.a. Red Hulk, Captain America: Brave New World will introduce a substance stronger than vibranium… adamantium. The fictitious metal, which in the comics is the strongest in the world, was part of the fine print in Fox’s ownership of the rights to the X-Men characters. However, with those rights firmly back with Marvel Studios, it’s time to introduce Adamantium to the MCU.

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Esposito teased how this introduction plays a pivotal role in the film’s plot. Just like Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) attempted to steal and sell vibranium in Black Panther, similar forces will be vying for control of adamantium in the MCU. Esposito explained:

“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.”

Only a few shots of Esposito’s Sidewinder have been revealed in the film’s trailer.Brave New World‘s iteration of the character appears to be taking a grounded approach. Sidewinder’s design has ditched his ridiculous reptilian costume for a tactical vest and a selection of guns that would make The Punisher proud.