Ever since The Mandalorian and The Boys star Giancarlo Esposito confirmed that he'd been cast in a mystery MCU role, speculation has run wild about who he might be playing.
The actor confirmed he'd debut in a movie before showing up in a Disney+ TV series and set photos have since revealed his big screen project as Captain America: Brave New World. Esposito was enlisted for reshoots and a first look at his unnamed character showed him in tactical gear wielding several knives and what appears to be an axe.
Typically, a set photo like that would make it clear who an actor is playing; as things stand, we're no closer to knowing for sure who the Breaking Bad alum has been cast as. Or are we?
A new rumour is floating around online (we think it's more of a theory than anything) which suggests Esposito is playing Moon Knight villain Bushman. The character's existence was confirmed in the show's first season and it makes sense for him to be Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jack Lockley's next foe following rumours a second batch of episodes are moving forward.
Also noteworthy is the fact Marvel Studios enlisted Moon Knight writer Matthew Orton to pen Captain America: Brave New World's reshoots.
Bushman, whose real name is Raoul Bushman, is a supervillain and primarily an adversary of Moon Knight. Created by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz, he first appeared in 1980's Moon Knight #1.
Bushman is a former mercenary and soldier with a background in guerrilla warfare. Recognizable by his tattooed face and sharp teeth, he is known for his brutality and combat skills. The villain played a crucial role in the origin of Moon Knight; during an operation in Egypt, he betrayed and left Marc Spector (who would become Moon Knight) for dead.
Spector was resurrected by the Egyptian moon god Khonshu and took on the mantle of Moon Knight to seek vengeance against Bushman.
While we'd expect Bushman to be a little more formidable from a physical standpoint, this is an intriguing possibility and there are countless reasons he could cross paths with Captain America (similar to how Batroc's Captain America: The Winter Soldier debut led to a larger role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier).
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Captain America: Brave New World's cast includes Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Shira Haas, Liv Tyler, Xosha Roquemore, Giancarlo Esposito, and WWE Superstar Seth Rollins.
Julius Onah helms the movie from a screenplay by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson, though the director is believed to have also taken a pass at it. Matthew Orton, meanwhile, has written new scenes for the additional photography which is now taking place in Atlanta, Georgia.
Captain America: Brave New World is set to arrive in theaters on February 14, 2025.