Captain America’s debut inCaptain America: The First Avengerincluded one line that perfectly set up two of theMCU’s most terrifying upcoming villains in 2025. 2011’sCaptain Americawas an exceptionally well-received debut for one of the MCU’s most iconic characters, Steve Rogers. Its comic-accurate setting sawRogers adopt the mantle of Captain Americaat the height of World War II, which was the perfect stage for him to demonstrate all the qualities that qualified him for Project Rebirth and receive the only perfected sample ofDr. Abraham Erskine’s Super Soldier Serum.
Five years after bequeathing the mantle to Sam Wilson, it will soon be up to Rogers' successor to show the same qualities inCaptain America: Brave New World. Trailer footage has revealed that he will also make his cinematic debut as Cap in a wartime setting while facing off against insurmountable odds in the form ofThunderbolt Ross' Red Hulk. This isn’t the only similarity between Wilson and Rogers' cinematic debuts, however, with a quote spoken by a pivotal figure connecting the two on a deeper level.
2025’s MCU Releases Make 2 Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Villains Even More Formidable
Two Powerful Villains Will Boast The Backing Of The People
2025 will see the rise of two villainous leaders in the MCU:President Thunderbolt Ross and Mayor Wilson Fisk. Both are well established in the MCU with Ross in particular playing a central role in some of the MCUs most consequential developments. While Ross’ ascension to the presidency has been established intrailers forCaptain America: Brave New World, Fisk’s ascension to the Mayor’s office is presumed following the tease at the end of 2024’sEchoand suggestions that he has “come up in the world” in a recently released teaser forDaredevil: Born Again.
In Marvel Comics, Wilson Fisk uses his power as Mayor of New York to crack down on vigilantism.
If true, then Ross and Fisk are about to become two ofthe MCU’s most formidable villains. Setting aside the obvious jump in power that comes with Ross' transformation into Red Hulk, the fact that both villains have ascended to exceptionally powerful positions is even scarier. Not only does it mean that the two are far better placed to enforce their wills over the public and their superhero adversaries,but the fact that they have seemingly ascended to their stations through the will of the people is a worrying sign for the MCU.
Instead of being feared like most villains, Ross and Fisk are seemingly beloved, making any hero’s attempts to quash their designs draw the ire of those they are trying to protect.
Seizing power to become a despot is one thing, butthe fact that Ross and Fisk will have the backing of the general population affords them a certain measure of protection that cannot be overlooked. Instead of being feared like most villains, Ross and Fisk are seemingly beloved, making any hero’s attempts to quash their designs draw the ire of those they are trying to protect. This is a far cry from the Infinity Saga, where villains were rarely popular (outside real-world fandom, of course) - but Erskine foreshadowed this eventuality in Phase 1.
In 2011, Captain America’s Creator Explained Why Popular Villains Are So Dangerous
Dr. Abraham Erskine Spoke About How Hitler Capitalized On German People Feeling Weak And Small
Steve Rogers’s MCU debut typified the standardunpopular villain in Red Skull, who is much easier to revile than many other MCU villains. The other villain ofCaptain America, of course, was a little more complex - namely, Adolf Hitler. While Hitler is a lot easier to hate than even Red Skull,it’s hard to ignore the fact that he was a popular figure at the time. Super Soldier Serum creator, Dr. Erskine, comments on this when speaking to Steve Rogers, stating:
“So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know, after the last war, my people struggled. They… they felt weak. They felt small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags.”
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Erskine’s comments inCaptainAmericanow feel just as applicable in the case of Ross and Fisk. While the world still reels from the effects of the Snap, several other factors have played into makingthe denizens of the MCU feel weak, small, and ready for a strongman leader to take the reins. These include the secret invasion of a million Skrulls and the ever-growing list of superheroes and villains that threaten Earth and the universe on a much-too-regular basis. With such fertile ground, it’s only a matter of time before Ross and Fisk commence their own form of tyranny.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Cast
Captain America: The First Avenger follows Steve Rogers, a frail man from Brooklyn transformed into the super-soldier Captain America during World War II. As he aids the war effort, Rogers confronts Red Skull, who seeks world domination through a powerful device for a nefarious organization.
