Following the first trailer for Captain 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 in the first trailer for Captain 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.

I’m Convinced Giancarlo Esposito Is Playing George Washington Bridge

Co-Created By Deadpool’s Rob Liefeld

Following the release of Brave New World’s first trailer, Deadpool creator 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’s X-Force #1 as 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 as a member of the secret group J.A.N.U.S in 2020’s Ravencroft series. However, there’s not yet been any mention as to how he’d come back from the dead.

Regardless, one of the most interesting things about Bridge’s comics history in reference to Brave New World is 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 in Falcon & The Winter Soldier before making subsequent cameos in Black Widow and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ahead of her upcoming role in Marvel’s Thunderbolts*. In the comics, Val was once a member of a team assembled by Bridge to take down The Punisher, and she’s a member of J.A.N.U.S alongside Bridge 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 in Brave New World, a movie that in turn is expected to serve as some key set up for Thunderbolts* 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 play a major role in Brave 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 Giancarolo Esposito wasn’t playing G.W. Bridge in the upcoming MCU movie (and perhaps beyond).