Summary
Following the first trailer forCaptain America: Brave New World, I’m very confident that I know who Giancarlo Esposito is playing in the new MCU movie. Featured in a handful of shots in the new trailer, Giancarlo Esposito certainly appears to be playing some sort of antagonist or perhaps even a potential anti-hero. To that end, there’s one character from the original comics who fits the bill quite well.
Giancarlo Esposito’s character doesn’t appear to be a super well-known character or a primary antagonist inthe first trailer forCaptain America: Brave New World. However, he is featured taking part in some sort of major firefight. Armed to the teeth with guns and knives, this new MCU character is clearly well-trained and certainly has some sort of agenda as this new movie teases major shifts in the geopolitical landscape.Following some exciting reactions online, I do feel convinced about who Giancarlo Esposito is playing in the MCU.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
I’m Convinced Giancarlo Esposito Is Playing George Washington Bridge
Co-Created By Deadpool’s Rob Liefeld
Following the release ofBrave New World’sfirst trailer,Deadpoolcreator Rob Liefeld posted a reaction online with a photo of Giancarlo’s new MCU character, featuring one word:“Cool.“While this is a far cry from confirming which Marvel character Esposito is playing on-screen, it’s enough to speculate that the accomplished actor is more than likely playing a character whom Liefeld helped create. To that end,I do believe that Giancarlo Esposito is playing George Washington “G.W.” Bridge, a character Rob Liefeld co-created with Fabian Nicieza in 1991.
G.W. Bridge first appeared in 1991’sX-Force#1as a gifted mercenary who was part of the group known as the Wild Pack, later renamed the Six Pack. The team was originally led by Cable with members at one point including Domino, Deadpool, Grizzly, and more Marvel mercenaries. However, G.W. himself also spent some time as the team’s leader. Bridge’s full Marvel career is also quite extensive, going far beyond his time with the Six Pack alone.
Who Is George Washington Bridge? Marvel Comics History & Powers Explained
Former SHIELD Agent With Ties To Cable, Punisher…And Valentina
In between different stints with the Six Pack,G.W. Bridge also became a high-ranking major within SHIELD. Engaged in various conflicts with Cable himself, Bridge was eventually fired from his position by then-Director of SHIELD Tony Stark following failed attempts to take down Frank Castle’s Punisher and the unorthodox methods he’d implented to try and bring him in. Bridge then went freelance while still maintaining his commitment to taking out The Punisher.
While Bridge did rejoin SHIELD temporarily during his personal vendetta against Punisher, Bridge was ultimately killed by Microchip in the comics. That said, Bridge most recently turned up alive and well in the comics asa member of the secret group J.A.N.U.S in 2020’sRavencroftseries. However, there’s not yet been any mention as to how he’s come back from the dead.
Regardless,one of the most interesting things about Bridge’s comics history consideringBrave New Worldis his ties with Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The current Director of the CIA and played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus,“Val” made her MCU debut inFalcon & The Winter Soldierbefore making subsequent cameos inBlack WidowandBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverahead of her upcoming role in Marvel’sThunderbolts*. In the comics, Val was once a member of a team assembled by Bridge to take down The Punisher, and she’s also a member of J.A.N.U.S as well.
How George Washington Bridge Fits Into Captain America: Brave New World’s Story
Working To Shift Global Power
An MCU version of G.W. Bridge played by Giancarlo Esposito could be quite fascinating. It would also be fairly easy to adapt his story as a former agent of SHIELD who went dark, becoming a mercenary for hire.To that end, perhaps Bridge has been hired by Val whom many expect to make an appearance inBrave New World, a movie that in turn will likely serve as some key setup forThunderbolts*which is set to come out only a few months later.
It’s also possible that Bridge could be in the employ of The Leader, the gamma-infused super genius played by Tim Blake Nelson who’s expected to be a major antagonist inBrave New World.Either option would likely involve Bridge being given key targets to help shift and change the overall geopolitical landscape. At any rate, I’d be very surprised if Giancarlo Espositowasn’tplaying G.W. Bridge in the upcoming MCU movie (and perhaps beyond).
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.
