Newly unveiled concept art offers a glimpse at an earlier vision for the villain Sidewinder, played by Giancarlo Esposito, in Captain America: Brave New World. Instead of the straightforward assassin seen on screen, the art reveals a more serpentine, reptilian design that fans likely would have found more intriguing. This design emerged before Esposito’s casting and highlights a different creative direction for the character.
Unrealized Potential in Captain America: Brave New World
The movie has faced criticism for underusing key characters such as Isaiah Bradley, while fans have also expressed disappointment over the handling of Sidewinder. Giancarlo Esposito, widely anticipated to bring depth to the MCU, was limited to a minor role with conventional villain traits. The contrast between the early concept art and the final portrayal suggests a missed opportunity to introduce a more visually and narratively distinctive antagonist.
Behind the Concept: Nano Tattoos and Serpent Society
This unique take on Sidewinder was intended to be part of a larger storyline involving the Serpent Society, a group that was initially meant to receive technological enhancements from Zeke Stane. Creator Michael Uwandi shared this art on social media, explaining it represented the character’s “first phase” involving nano tattoos and a snakeskin mask, prior to Esposito’s involvement in the project.
Serpent Society for Captain America Brave New World. Very early iteration of nano tattoos. The snake skin mask was the idea of a first phase
transformation for the characters. This was the first take on Side Winder before the actor was cast. The actor ultimately ended up being Giancarlo Esposito.
Despite this ambitious vision, the plans changed once Esposito joined. The production moved away from the complex nano tattoo concept, simplifying Sidewinder’s appearance to a basic jacket and firearm, which diminished the originality of the villain’s portrayal.
Impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Fan Expectations
Captain America: Brave New World is now available for streaming on Disney Plus, where audiences can judge the film’s execution firsthand. The discovery of this lost concept art deepens the narrative around what could have been, fueling discussions about character development in future MCU phases. Fans eager for more inventive and fleshed-out antagonists will likely hold out hope that upcoming projects incorporate bold design choices similar to the early Sidewinder concept.
