While audiences already met Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) in “Black Widow,” they’ve yet to see the original version of the character.
He debuted in “Avengers” #196 (by David Michelinie and George Perez) as a mercenary with “photographic reflexes” that allow him to copy his opponent’s fighting styles. Wielding a sword and shield and a skull-like mask, Tony Masters, aka Taskmaster, has been a major antagonist for Captain America, Nick Fury, and other heroes. He’s also spent time as a member of multiple Thunderbolts teams and, despite his bad guy tendencies, has also worked alongside the Secret Avengers. Taskmaster also has a history on the espionage side of the Marvel Universe as a hired gun with a strong relationship with Marvel’s most famous merc, Deadpool.
Taskmaster is steeped in Marvel lore, which is why the version seen in “Black Widow” was somewhat disappointing to those who finally thought they would see him on the big screen. If Esposito is revealed to be stepping into this role, Marvel could redeem the character, perhaps allowing Kurylenko’s version to develop into a more heroic role. Considering Esposito’s tactical look in “Captain America: Brave New World” set photos, could the marksman finally come to the MCU in his comic-accurate form?
No matter who Esposito ends up playing, getting an actor of his caliber to appear in “Captain America 4” and potentially star in his own series is a significant get. Hopefully, he gets the chance to play a villain with ample opportunity to shine. After all, wasting Esposito on a role that doesn’t take full advantage of his talents would be a major disappointment.
Audiences will learn who Esposito brings to life in the MCU when “Captain America: Brave New World” arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.
