TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas killed quite a few villains who should have gotten more to do, and the nextAvengersmovies offer the perfect opportunity for some of them to return in a major way. One of the main criticisms the MCU has dealt with during the Multiverse Saga is the fact thatthere has been no newAvengers movie from Marvel Studiossince 2019’sAvengers: Endgame. However, that will soon change with two new entries.
2026’sAvengers: Doomsdaywill see the debut of a new team of heroes, as well asestablish Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. A year later,Avengers: Secret Wars' storywill put an end to the Multiverse Saga. Through the concepts of the multiverse and time travel, which the MCU has explored in the past, the next two Avengers movies can bring back some deceased villains in interesting ways, be it as foes again or as new allies to the Avengers.
10Thanos
The Infinity Saga’s Main Villain Can Prop Up Doctor Doom’s Story
Starting the list is Thanos, which is a must-have if dead villains are coming back.The Mad Titan is the MCU’s most iconic villainso far, being the main threat of the Infinity Saga. Time travel should not be used to have Thanos return, as it already played out inAvengers: Endgame. However, the multiverse offers a few interesting possibilities for how Thanos could be back.
Thanos actor Josh Brolin has teased that the character could come back to the MCU in the near future.
In the Secret Wars comics,Doctor Doom becomes all-powerful and rips Thanos' spine out of his body, killing him. That anticipated moment could be recreated inAvengers: Secret Warsthrough the use of a multiverse variant. Thanos also has the potential to play a major role again. The King Thanos variant of the character — the main villain of a planned Avengers Campus attraction — could be assisting Doctor Doom in his quest.
9Kang The Conqueror
The Original Main Villain Of The Multiverse Saga Might Not Be Done
Kang the Conqueror is another dead villain who has to return in at least one of the next two Avengers movies. BeforeJonathan Majors was fired by Marvel,Kang and his variants were supposed to serve as the main threatEarth’s Mightiest Heroes would have to deal with in the upcoming Avengers movies. Now, their future is up in the air, with RDJ’s Doctor Doom taking Kang’s place.
Avengers: Doomsday Theory Explains How RDJ’s Doctor Doom Replaces Kang In The MCU Without Wasting All Of Marvel’s Setup
A massive Avengers: Doomsday theory shows how Marvel can make good use of Kang the Conqueror’s MCU story to explain Doctor Doom’s mission.
Kang’s return is easier than other characters on the list, in a way.Marvel could simply recast Majors with multiple actors as the Kang variants. Then, Downey’s Doctor Doom could wipe out the Council of Kangs to startAvengers: Doomsday. Similar to Thanos' first scene inAvengers: Infinity War, this would set up Doom’s power. Kang the Conqueror can also be revealed to be alive and now working for Doom.
8Cassandra Nova
An X-Men Family Reunion Needs To Happen
Cassandra Nova was the most recent main villain to be added to the MCU. Emma Corrin’s Marvel character is no other thanCharles Xavier’s twin sister. Her powers and persona made her quite a frightening villain inDeadpool & Wolverine. However, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s Marvel heroes managed to defeat Cassandra Nova in the end, with the character dying. A one-off is not nearly enough for the villain.
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With Marvel Studios PresidentKevin Feige teasing that familiar X-Men will show up in the next few MCU moviesbeforeMarvel’s X-Men reboot film, Cassandra could return. The next Avengers movies have the chance of putting her opposite her brother on the big screen. Cassandra would be unlikely to play ball with Doctor Doom, but the character’s experience ruling the Void could make her an unpredictable figure in Battleworld.
7MODOK
Marvel Studios Needs To Redeem The Villain After A Silly Debut
MODOK is a villain from the comics that the MCU did not make the most of. Instead of being a frightening character,MODOK was played for laughs inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Marvel Studios also changed his origins, with Yellowjacket turning into MODOK in the MCU instead of AIM scientist George Tarleton. There are a couple of ways for how Marvel could bring back MODOK.
The character can either return as a villain or an ally to the Avengers. When he died in the MCU,MODOK hilariously asked Scott Lang if he was an Avenger. The MCU could pay off that moment with a variant of the character played by Corey Stoll finally being part of the Avengers as they fight Doctor Doom. Alternatively, a comic book-accurate MODOK could be a vicious villain helping Doctor Doom, changing his silly image in the MCU.
6Gorr The God Butcher
The Avengers Movies Can Do Right By A Huge Superhero Star
Christian Bale’s work as Batman in director Christopher Nolan’s acclaimedThe Dark Knighttrilogy cemented him as one of the best stars in superhero cinema. His MCU casting was met with a lot of excitement, and Bale delivered an energetic and nuanced take on Gorr the God Butcher. However,Thor: Love and Thunderwas disappointing, not allowing Gorr to fully display his “God Butchering” on the big screen.
Thor and Love could find a good multiverse variant of her father that helps the Avengers against Doctor Doom.
With the multiverse allowing Gorr to return in the next Avengers movies, the character could be both a villain and an ally to the heroes. Right before he died, Bale’s character seemed to understand the wrong in his actions. Thor and Love could find a good multiverse variant of her father that helps the Avengers against Doctor Doom. However, an evil Gorr the God Butcher could be the reason why a couple of heroes die in the Avengers films.Having Christian Bale return for the crossover projects would be a major move from Marvel.
5Ultron
The Avengers Movie Villain Is Already Set For An MCU Comeback
Ultron is an interesting character. As the main villain of the second Avengers movie, it would make sense for the sentient AI to return in one or both of the next Avengers films. With Robert Downey Jr. playing one of Ultron’s MCU creators, Tony Stark, and now giving life to Doctor Doom, there is a chance thatthe villain will have an Ultron of his own.
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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However, the MCU’s original Ultron could also be part of the next Avengers movies, and the character will likely show up beforehand. While no confirmation has come about which version of the villain it is,Ultron will return in Marvel’s upcoming Vision series. James Spader once again voices the character, reprising hisAvengers: Age of Ultronrole. Ultron’s story in the Disney+ series could set up a new Avengers arc for the villain.
4Killmonger
Michael B. Jordan Has Multiple MCU Return Options
2018’sBlack Pantherwas a worldwide event, and a lot of the movie’s success comes from Michael B. Jordan’s performance as Killmonger. The character isone of the MCU’s most complex antagonists. His actions, albeit not right, can be understood. Killmonger’s death in his MCU debut cut off the character’s potential, with the villain only returning for a cameo in the afterlife inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.
However, Marvel Studios' animated seriesWhat If…?showed how Killmonger can be a threat to the entire MCU. In the show, Killmonger tries to reshape the multiverse in his image through the Infinity Stones.A new Killmonger could either be an ally to Shuri or one of Doctor Doom’s Barons in Battleworld, depending on what path Marvel chooses. However, with T’Challa reportedly being recast,Michael B. Jordan might move on to playing Black Panther.
3The Mandarin
A More Recent MCU Villain Who Deserves More Time
The Mandarin was done dirty by the MCU inIron Man 3. However, after several years, things were made right whenTony Leung brought the real Mandarin to life inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The character had a complex backstory and the chance to showcase his impressive fighting skills. Sadly, the villain was killed in his first real MCU appearance.
The Mandarin’s soul was absorbed by the Dweller-in-Darkness, but a multiverse variant of the character could still play a role in the next Avengers movies.Marvel Studios’What If…?featured an action-packed episode with the Mandarin and Helathat showed how the character could still be part of many exciting interactions with other MCU heroes and villains. Doctor Doom could use a martial arts expert who controls the Ten Rings in his team.
2Mysterio
The Spider-Man Villain’s Potential Was Recently Shown In Animation
Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio is one of the MCU’s most important villains. He was the one whorevealed to the world that Peter Parker was Spider-Man. However, Mysterio was a victim of Marvel’s disappointing trend of killing villains in their first MCU appearance. Mysterio was considered forSpider-Man: No Way Home, which could have brought him back through illusions or the multiverse, but he has yet to return.
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Marvel’sWhat If…?season 3 showed the potential the character has for the next Avengers movies. In the animated series,Mysterio became the ruler of what was left of the Earthafter the Celestial seed was birthed and tore the planet apart. Mysterio’s “powers” make for compelling visuals, and with Doctor Doom’s magic, the villain could become a major threat to the Avengers. Marvel would also have two stars from the Spider-Man franchise teaming up in the films.
1Hela
A Thor Family Reunion Could Be On The Way
The next two Avengers movies have the chance of reuniting Thor, Hela, and Loki in the MCU. At the moment,Hela was seemingly killed by Surtur when he destroyed Asgard, while a variant of Loki became the protector of the multiverse in his own Disney+ series, and Thor continues to serve as a hero and now as the father of Love. The MCU can unite the trio with a new dynamic.
Cate Blanchett’s Hela return would be more interesting if she were not to play a villain, but a good version of the character. This way, the Avengers movies could explorewhat a healthy version of Thor’s family could look like, as the three aid the Avengers in stopping Doctor Doom and whatever villains may appear. Marvel Studios has many possibilities when it comes to bringing back dead villains in the upcomingAvengersmovies, and hopefully, the franchise will make the most of it.
Avengers: Doomsday
Cast
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
