Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito recently confirmed that he has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe after showing his interest in starring as Professor X with a twist. However, the actor revealed that his MCU role will be different from what he previously hoped for while sparking debate among fans.
Giancarlo Esposito Joins MCU
Giancarlo Esposito in Dear White People (2017). Image Credit: Netflix
With his accelerating popularity, Giancarlo Esposito has been one of the sought-after actors of recent times. Since his Breaking Bad fame playing the notorious villain Gus Fring in the Vince Gilligan-created AMC hit show, Esposito appeared in several remarkable roles which includes his recent appearance in Guy Ritchie’s action comedy series The Gentleman on Netflix.
Esposito recently confirmed that he is making his MCU debut with an undisclosed character. However, he won’t be playing Professor X— the iconic X-Men leader he wanted to play. But his role in the Marvel project (also under wraps) is coming “sooner rather than later,” the actor shared during a panel on the Thunder Stage at CCXP (via Collider).
The recent comments from the actor have certainly rattled fans making all of us swirling through the cloud of speculation. But as he teased his character in the MCU project is “better than you can imagine.” Is it the Fantastic Four? That is by far the most likely scenario considering Marvel Studios casting actors for the movie recently or maybe Thunderbolts* or Blade, hard to tell at this point. Also, Esposito’s comment doesn’t give any clue if it is a movie or a show.
Though he would not be playing the founder of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, he earlier put forward how he would have played this character in a different way.
“You know, I’ve given it a cursory glance in my brain, and immediately I go, ‘Hmm, it’d be great to play Professor X in some other incarnation than just the wheelchair.’ Right? Because the physical idea of being in a wheelchair every single day does not appeal to me,” Esposito recently told the Fade to Black podcast.
“I just don’t feel that old and I don’t like to sit that much. But certainly we could figure something out, maybe. Professor X wasn’t always in the wheelchair, but that is part of his character development. So I think about it a little bit, but I don’t give it all of my thought because it would have to come to me.“
It will be interesting to see in coming days, which role he plays in the MCU.
What Role Could Giancarlo Esposito Play In The MCU?
Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring. Image Credit: AMC
Fan favorite Giancarlo Esposito has finally joined the MCU, but the character he’ll be playing remains a secret. While fans previously hoped to see him as Professor X, Esposito himself confirmed this wouldn’t be the case.
There are plenty of forthcoming Marvel projects where Esposito could make an appearance. These include blockbuster films like The Fantastic Four and Captain America: Brave New World, both slated for early next year, and other anticipated releases such as Blade and Thunderbolts*. On top of that, the actor could also feature in a variety of upcoming Disney TV shows.
Rumors are circulating about Esposito’s potential role in The Fantastic Four. While Julie Garner has been cast as the female Silver Surfer, there are hints that Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer, might also appear in the film. However, this casting hasn’t been fully confirmed, leaving an opportunity for Esposito to join the project.
Although Esposito could portray a Marvel hero, some suggest that he might instead be cast as a significant villain in the upcoming Multiverse Saga. The MCU is currently searching for a new main antagonist after Jonathan Majors was removed from the franchise. This gap leaves room for Esposito to potentially take over the role of Kang the Conqueror and his various variants. Given his acting expertise, it’s believed that Esposito could bring a unique touch to each version of Kang, just as Majors did.
His depth and dramatic presence make him a perfect fit for Magneto, a complex character with a compelling backstory. Additionally, his range allows him to embody the unpredictable nature of Mister Sinister, a character gaining focus in the animated X-Men ’97 series. Whatever role Giancarlo Esposito eventually takes on, fans can be sure that his performance will be nothing short of impressive.
