Captain America: Brave New World is now in theaters, bringing Sam Wilson’s Captain America face-to-face with a new threat: Copperhead, a snake-themed villain played by Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson. While the film’s buzz has largely centered on the debut of Red Hulk, Copperhead’s arrival introduces a fresh threat to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
But who is this villain and how does he fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Scroll down to get more details.
Copperhead in Captain America 4: Brave New World explained
In the Marvel comics, Copperhead is best known as Davis Lawfers, a villain who relies on brains and gadgets rather than superpowers. His high-tech suit, complete with venomous gauntlets and a helmet that emits blinding “copper bursts,” was a gift from Madame Hydra, also known as the second Viper. Lawfers first appeared in Captain America #337 in 1988, created by Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, and Tom Morgan.
Copperhead is a former government employee-turned-criminal mastermind, recruited by Madame Hydra to infiltrate the Serpent Society, a notorious group of snake-themed villains. Over the years, he’s been involved in various schemes, including the Society’s transformation into Serpent Solutions, a corrupt organization targeting major corporations.
Though not a top-tier villain, Copperhead has crossed paths with heroes like Spider-Man and the Avengers, earning a reputation as a persistent thorn in their side. Copperhead in Captain America: Brave New World is reimagined as a human antagonist, shedding the reptilian traits of his comic counterpart.
How is Brave New World’s Copperhead different from Marvel comics?
Captain America: Brave New World takes creative liberties with the source material. In the comics, Davis Lawfers is a calculated leader who avoids direct combat, preferring to let his plans and team do the work. His calm demeanor and organizational skills make him a fair but demanding boss, though he dislikes criticism.
The film, however, presents a more hands-on Copperhead, engaging in physical confrontations while maintaining his tactical edge. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jóhannesson highlighted these differences, noting, “In the comics, he’s like half a snake, so in that way, he’s sort of different. He’s a human. But there are similarities.” The actor further added, “He’s not a nice guy, is he? Maybe he’s just misunderstood. He has his differences with the captain, and they hash it out.”
