Thanos will be a tough act for the next big MCU villain to follow, but Marvel is spoiled for choice when it comes to convincing villains. Galactus could offer a far greater end-of-universe threat than Mad Titan, and there are also the likes of Norman Osborn to invoke if the studio wants to opt for something more ingrained.
Another serious candidate for the role is Doctor Doom, and rumors suggest that the comic book giant already has an actor in mind to play the Latvian dictator.
Giancarlo Esposito, best known for playing Gus Fring in the Breaking Bad universe, has been closely linked to the MCU in recent months and the role he is supposed to play is that of Victor Von Doom.
This must be taken with the proverbial grain of salt, as the source seems to be a theory of Internet fans, but such claims are gaining ground online and have been picked up by credible media.
Of course, Esposito recently expressed interest in joining the Marvel universe. While promoting Far Cry 6, the Mandalorian star told Entertainment Tonight that the MCU would likely be the “next step” for him. And that seems likely given that he’s done a lot of work for the studio’s parent company, Disney, recently.
As for the rumor that he is online to play Doctor Doom, he is beyond perfect due to his background as a cold and calculating gamer. Although Doom is traditionally portrayed as being from Eastern Europe, the ethnicity of the actor portraying him would be largely irrelevant due to the fact that he will likely spend his time in the hidden MCU behind an iron mask. Either way, Marvel won’t be reinventing the character onscreen, for the sake of diversity.
Doom isn’t the only Marvel role Esposito has been linked to, of course. Previous reports suggest the studio may call on him when the time comes to introduce the X-Men to the franchise, with the actor seen as a potential magneto or Professor X.
One thing is certain: Esposito is a versatile actor who could turn to any of these roles. And given his continued involvement with Disney and his desire to work with Marvel, it seems to be when, rather than if, we’ll see him in the MCU.
