The Serpent Society, a renowned group of villains from the Marvel comics universe, makes a formidable return as the primary antagonists in the upcoming film, "Captain America: Brave New World." Known for their serpentine aliases and costumes, the Serpent Society has long been considered one of Captain America's most iconic adversaries. Originally introduced in the comics as a group of villains, their presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was initially intended to be comedic. However, filmmakers decided to portray them as a more grounded and violent organization, enhancing their menace and depth.
The group, led by Seth Voelker, has a storied history in the comics. Voelker is depicted as a 158-pound man with blue eyes, details that actor Giancarlo Esposito, who plays Sidewinder in the film, found both relatable and inspiring.
"If you go back to Seth Voelker, leader of the Serpent Society, he's 158 pounds, just about my weight, and he has blue eyes," – Giancarlo Esposito
Esposito, known for his meticulous approach to character development, felt deeply involved in bringing Sidewinder to life on screen. He even influenced the design of his character's costume.
"I went back to the comic. I figured out what the guy looked like. I didn't want to look like that," – Giancarlo Esposito
"I wanted to be able to show people how physical I am," – Giancarlo Esposito
The film's director, Julius Onah, praises Esposito's performance, noting that he brought a significant level of grounding and gravitas to the role. The filmmakers' approach to the Serpent Society mirrors how they handled other characters like Batroc the Leaper, taking something seemingly absurd and giving it a realistic context.
"You take something that seems inherently ridiculous, and you figure out what the context of it could be," – Julius Onah
In "Captain America: Brave New World," the Serpent Society operates as a special-ops team. Their mission involves stealing a sample of adamantium from a Japanese mining site with the intention of selling it to an unnamed buyer. This plot point not only serves as a major storyline in the film but also emphasizes their role as Cap's formidable foes.
"The Serpent Society is one of Cap's all-time Hall of Fame villain groups," – Nate Moore
The members of this notorious group have an illustrious lineup that includes Black Mamba, Death Adder, Anaconda, Asp, Cottonmouth, Diamondback, Princess Python, Rattler, and Viper. Each member brings unique skills and characteristics, making them a diverse yet cohesive threat to Captain America.
The decision to depict the Serpent Society with a serious tone rather than comedic one marks a significant shift in how these characters are perceived within the MCU. It reflects an effort to maintain the authenticity and intensity of their comic book counterparts while adapting them for modern audiences.
