After a year of rumors and fan speculation, Giancarlo Esposito’s mysterious role in Captain America: Brave New World has finally been confirmed. During the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con, the actor told the audience that he will play Sidewinder, the leader of the Viper Society.
Esposito spoke enthusiastically to attendees of Hall H: “So, there’s been a lot of speculation about who I really am. Can I say it? I can say it. I’m the King of the Vipers! I’m Seth Walker, I’m a rattlesnake!
The Leader (Tim Nelson Black) and President Ross (Harrison Ford) will team up with Esposito to fight the new Captain America, who will mutate into the unstoppable Red Hulk. This is Anthony Mackie’s first solo appearance as the new Captain America since donning the shield and suit for the first time in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+.
Walker first appeared in 1980’s Marvel Two-in-One #64, where he was originally an economics professor before Roxon Oil mutated him and gave him the ability to teleport. This began his criminal career as a Diamondback. He started out as a hired henchman, working with anacondas, death vipers, and black mambas, later collectively known as the Viper Society.
Back during Marvel’s Hall H presentation in 2014, “Captain America 3” was initially teased as being subtitled “Snake Society,” before the real title was revealed to be “Civil War.” Esposito is rumored to have played everyone from GW Bridge to Paladin and even Nick Fury’s brother Jacob, also known as Scorpio.
“Captain America: Brave New World” will be released nationwide on February 14, 2025
