Esposito Reveals That Professor X Fan Casting Led to His Role in ‘Captain America 4’: “They’ve done Professor X, but would love to do something new”

The penultimate movie in Marvel’s Phase Five, ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ is set to premiere on February 14, 2025. Fans are excited for the film, where Anthony Mackie will take on the role of Captain America, following Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers—though there are some surprises in store.

Alongside Mackie, several major characters will appear. Harrison Ford is stepping in as Thaddeus Ross, replacing the late William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson is returning as The Leader and Esposito is set to make his first appearance in the MCU as the villain – Sidewinder.

Esposito previously described his villain as “complex.” He appreciates that Sidewinder’s backstory will unfold throughout the story. Unlike some of the villainous roles he’s played before, where the characters are clever and manipulative, Sidewinder is more physical and relies on his strength and skills.

Esposito also likes that this character challenges some comic book expectations. During his most recent public appearance, Esposito revealed that he will be “putting the costume” once again to promote the movie during Brazil’s D23 event:

The Captain America story, as much as it’s been great to be on set to shoot it, I’m actually going back next week to do a little more. I’m so excited. Put that costume back again, baby!

Esposito also revealed how his MCU story started out in the first place. Apparently, Esposito was aware that fans have been fan casting him as Professor X, a role he stated would like to portray. One thing led to another and Esposito was able to leverage his fame in the fandom to secure something different:

It all happened out of fan casting. Right, I was doing comic con years ago and someone asked you know about Professor X, and I said “god I love that character, I’d love to play Professor X” and it blew up on social media. And so, It just grew. This is going back four and a something years. It grew. It grew. It grew.

I wind up at the Emmy’s last year and so I asked my manager: “Hey do these guys in Marvel know that the fans want me to play Professor X, like that’s what the fans want” So he said, “Oh they are aware.” So we run into one of the head honchos […] They’ve done Professor X, and they would love to do something new.

Esposito explained that although the role of Professor X was unavailable it was the voice of fans that allowed him to secure a role in the popular franchise.

I thank the fans and I’m gonna thank you again tonight.

As far as Professor X comments go, and Esposito’s comments that “it won’t be the same,” we are very interested to get to the bottom of that, especially taking into account the X-Men live-action reboot.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Liked this article? Follow us on Bluesky for the latest Marvel & DC news!