Giancarlo Esposito’s role as the villain in Far Cry 6 has certainly provided the game with some serious hype, as players hope he can present a performance on par with his work in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. Despite playing the dictator of a Cuba-inspired Carribean island with little infrastructure, Esposito cites former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as a huge inspiration behind his character.
When Churchill visited the wildlife-rich country of Uganda in 1907, he famously referred to it as the “Pearl of Africa.” Despite the lack of government and structural development, Churchill saw a great deal of promise in the country that he hoped he could some day share with the world. This drive for an underdeveloped place to reach its full potential is the same motivation that Esposito brings to Far Cry 6.
“It was feeling as if I’m in this lush place that had no means to get out the cucumbers and the potatoes,” Esposito said when comparing Churchill’s view of Uganda to that of Anton Castillo’s view of Yara. Anton sees clearly the potential that his nation holds, yet he must ruthlessly execute his plan in order to one day reach that potential.
The hope for a brighter future is what motivates Anton, and it gives us hope that his character will have quite a bit of depth to it. Despite ruling with an iron fist and working tirelessly to eliminate revolutionary forces, Anton’s true goal is to provide a better place for his people, and more importantly, his son.
It’s worth noting that Churchill wanted Uganda to reach its potential in order for England to economically benefit from the region. While he had hoped to improve the country’s conditions as a whole, his true intentions were to help his own people by doing so, not to turn Uganda into a tourist destination.
Anton, on the other hand, doesn’t view his country through an Imperialistic lens, leading us to assume that he truly does want what he feels is best for his people. That being said, a hunger for power and failure to listen to his nation may taint that vision.
Overall, Esposito’s comparison between Winston Churchill and Anton Castillo hints at more than just a one-note antagonist. With additional layers of depth complemented by what will more than likely be an excellent performance from Esposito, it’s easy to assume Anton can be one of the series’ best villains to date.
Source: IGN
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