10 Major Marvel Villains That Still Need an MCU Appearance

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2025 marked the arrival of some of Marvel’s most renowned villains on the silver screen. The film Captain America: Brave New World brought us Red Hulk, but more significantly, it introduced the Leader to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Additionally, the upcoming movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to introduce Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and possibly Doctor Doom. This suggests that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet to fully explore its roster of A-list villains, let alone its notable B-list ones. These are the villains that have a certain level of influence and seem destined to appear in either an MCU film or one of the Disney+ series.

Instead, for a character suitable for an MCU project, it should be a villain, not Fin Fang Foom, the dragon-like creature who usually dons purple trousers.

1) Enchantress

It’s been confirmed by Marvel that the character Sylvie from Loki bears some resemblance to the Enchantress, but they are not the same character as the one portrayed in Suicide Squad (DC Comics). They both sport a headband and green bodysuit, although Sylvie’s headband is gold and her suit is green. However, their personalities differ significantly. It’s also worth noting that Amora, the real name of the Enchantress, was referenced in a deleted scene from Loki’s second season, indicating that they are separate entities.

Enchantress hails from Asgard and is considered one of the most potent sorceresses ever born there. She possesses an array of abilities, including superhuman strength and speed, summoning energy barriers, and even telepathy. These powers have been demonstrated against Thor on multiple occasions. If her backstory undergoes some alterations (assuming she wasn’t involved in the events of Thor: Ragnarok) she could be introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe seamlessly. The question remains, would it make sense to introduce her in another Thor film? Is another Thor movie necessary? Or could her introduction take place in the continuation of WandaVision or Agatha All Along?

2) Mister Sinister

Mr. Sinister is the kind of villain who might start off as a secondary character in one movie, but could take center stage in future films within the X-Men series. His introduction will likely occur in Avengers: Doomsday, making this scenario quite plausible. This development would resemble how Thanos employed Loki and Ronan before taking action himself.

As a fervent admirer, let me share my perspective: Mister Sinister is not just one of the X-Men’s formidable adversaries, but he prefers to manipulate others to carry out his sinister deeds. He has even employed characters like Apocalypse. His ambitious aim is to transform humanity into a species exclusively comprised of superhumans. Regrettably, many won’t meet the standards for his grand designs. If that isn’t the embodiment of a villain in the climactic finale of a X-Men trilogy, I am at a loss for what could be!

3) Mephisto

Mephisto is a red demon often found opposing characters such as the Silver Surfer and Ghost Rider in comics. He played a part in the dissolution of Spider-Man’s marriage with Mary Jane Watson, but it seems unlikely that this will be repeated in any potential sequel to Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In other words, Mephisto is a red demon who frequently appears as an antagonist for Silver Surfer and Ghost Rider in comic books. His actions led to the end of Spider-Man’s marriage with Mary Jane Watson, but it seems unlikely that this plot point will be revisited in any future installment of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

To ensure an accurate portrayal of Mephisto in any future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project, it’s crucial to invest ample time into perfecting the visual effects. If not executed skillfully, he might appear comical. However, with his extraordinary physical abilities, including strength, speed, endurance, and magical prowess, Mephisto could seamlessly fit into various MCU storylines, such as Doctor Strange or the Fantastic Four.

4) Blackheart

Blackheart is known as the offspring of the previously mentioned character Mephisto. If either name rings a bell for fans of Marvel films, it’s likely due to their appearances in the 2007 movie “Ghost Rider,” where Wes Bentley and Peter Fonda played these characters respectively.

It’s clear that both characters require more authentic (and generally less lackluster) portrayals compared to what they received in that mess. Blackheart may not be as powerful as his father, but he’s undeniably shrewder, and like his dad, he can still wield magic. Marvel Cinematic Universe might have the chance to produce a truly impressive Ghost Rider film, given another shot at getting it right. After all, Blackheart had virtually no character development in the 2007 movie, despite there being a wealth of potential for growth in the comics.

5) Nightmare

It’s clear that both “Doctor Strange” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” have earned substantial profits, making it likely we’ll see a third film. When the time arrives, Nightmare might be an intriguing adversary to intensify the conflict after Kaecilius and the Scarlet Witch have been faced.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he governs the Dream Dimension, a spiritual plane connected to human consciousness. This realm bears some similarities to the Shadow Realm from Thunderbolts, which added depth to the movie’s narrative. Nightmare, in this context, is like Freddy Krueger, preying on people’s subconscious minds while they sleep. If skillfully portrayed, he could make an intriguing villain. Unlike traditional antagonists, Nightmare requires dreams to exist, as humans need dreams for their own sanity. In the comics, Doctor Strange and Nightmare had to team up to ensure people continued dreaming. This partnership was necessitated by Nightmare’s survival needs and the potential mental breakdown of humanity if they could no longer dream. Instead of being defeated in the movie, Nightmare might be persuaded to change his ways, allowing him to survive without draining humanity excessively.

6) Magus

In simpler terms, Magus is a future villainous version of Adam Warlock, and since James Gunn has cast Will Poulter as a character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it would be wise for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy series directors to consider bringing Poulter back to play both his current role and Magus. As Vol. 3 was highly successful and the success of the MCU Phase Five seems likely to continue, a return for Poulter appears inevitable.

I, being a fan of the X-Men comics, can easily envision Magus making an appearance in one of their future mainline films. With my advanced intellect and the unique ability to transform into various forms, I could pose a significant threat to multiple heroes simultaneously, whether it’s the X-Men or even the Guardians. Such a versatile character would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

7) Annihilus

A potential villain capable of matching Thanos’ power level, Annihilus, appears poised to make an impact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that the Fantastic Four have joined its ranks. They are primarily known for their conflicts with him, as they were transported from Earth to his dominion, the Negative Zone – a realm he rigidly governs.

In another scenario, he’s frequently aimed at Earth. Thus, alongside his companion Blastaar, he could effortlessly become the antagonist in either an Avengers crossover movie or a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps. He would undoubtedly prove to be a formidable adversary, given his past victories over characters like The Thing and Thor in the comics. Furthermore, his insectoid appearance could add an exciting twist when brought to life with a substantial budget.

8) Molecule Man

The character known as Molecule Man boasts an intriguing background that could translate well to the big screen. Originally named Owen Reece, he was a reserved child struggling with maternal issues. Following his mother’s demise, he developed a profound dislike for the world, perceiving it as hostile towards him. Akin to many Marvel villains, particularly those from Spider-Man movies, he held a position as a lab technician at a nuclear facility where an accidental radiation exposure transformed him.

Currently, Molecule Man possesses the ability to manipulate matter at a molecular level, making him an ideal formidable opponent for a feature film or television show. Given his frequent encounters with the Fantastic Four, it seems plausible that a movie would be more suitable for this confrontation.

9) Ares

Marvel may skip adapting Ares and Enchantress due to their prior appearances in the DC Extended Universe. While they are distinct characters, they share some common themes. However, both didn’t receive satisfying adaptations within the DCEU. This could mean an opportunity for Marvel to portray their unique aspects – war-mongering for Ares and mystical powers for Enchantress – more effectively.

Similar to DC’s portrayal, Marvel’s Ares is modeled after the Greek deity of war, Mars. As one might anticipate, he often clashes with Thor, but he has also squared off against Hercules from time to time. If the MCU follows through on the Hercules revelation at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder, Ares could be an excellent addition. Maybe Thor and Hercules could join forces to subdue him.

10) Madame Masque

In ABC’s Agent Carter, a portrayal of Madame Masque was featured, however, the iconic version sporting the golden mask was absent from the series. Consequently, she remains open for further interpretation or adaptation in future works.

As a dedicated movie buff, I’ve always had a soft spot for Madame Masque, who, in many ways, was both a love interest and a formidable foe to the legendary Iron Man. Despite her character’s unfortunate demise, there’s still potential for her storyline in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Intriguingly, Madame Masque shares an intricate history with Kate Bishop, who is known as her arch-nemesis. Given the MCU’s penchant for weaving compelling narratives, reviving Madame Masque could be a brilliant move to explore this dynamic further.

Moreover, the MCU seems to have found a perfect fit in Hailee Steinfeld for the role of Kate Bishop, and bringing her back is a no-brainer. So here’s hoping that the creators of the Marvel Universe consider this opportunity to breathe new life into these captivating characters!

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2025-06-25 19:41