7 Incredible Marvel Movie Villains Not In The MCU

Great villains are essential for any superhero movie, and Marvel has a rich history of memorable antagonists. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has featured impressive villains like Thanos, Loki, and the Scarlet Witch, some of Marvel’s most iconic bad guys haven’t yet appeared in those films. These characters remain absent from the MCU’s adventures alongside its heroes.

For a long time, Marvel Studios didn’t own the rights to all of its popular characters. Studios like 20th Century Fox, Sony, and New Line Cinema made Marvel movies first, introducing many well-known villains to the big screen. Films like the *X-Men*, *Spider-Man*, *Ghost Rider*, and *Blade* featured these impressive villains, and fans are hoping to see them join the main Marvel Cinematic Universe now that Marvel Studios has more control over its characters.

7) Deacon Frost

In the 1998 film Blade, Stephen Dorff memorably played Deacon Frost, the primary villain opposite Wesley Snipes’ Blade. Frost leads a group of newly turned vampires and attempts to start a war between vampires and humans, all while trying to revive an ancient, powerful entity called La Magra. Dorff’s performance is captivating; he portrays Frost with a charming yet unsettling theatricality that makes the character truly frightening. With Mahershala Ali taking on the role of Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many fans hope to see a Deacon Frost more closely based on the comic book version as his next opponent.

6) Blackheart

Wes Bentley’s Blackheart from the 2007 *Ghost Rider* movie is often seen as a lackluster villain, but many fans would still like to see him appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Sacha Baron Cohen recently played Mephisto, meaning Peter Fonda’s version of the character isn’t an option, Blackheart was a powerful enemy who aimed to bring Hell to Earth. His frightening appearance, even with the effects of the time, could be greatly improved by Marvel Studios, making him a truly terrifying addition to the MCU.

5) Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin

James Franco’s portrayal of Harry Osborn in *Spider-Man 3* is a standout villain, despite not being universally praised. The character’s journey – starting as Peter Parker’s friend, becoming a love interest, and ultimately turning into a determined enemy – is compelling. His fight scenes are exciting, and the film effectively shows his internal struggles and understandable reasons for opposing Spider-Man, making him a truly memorable foe. While Harry hasn’t appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet, many fans hope to see Tom Holland’s Spider-Man develop a relationship with him – one that could eventually turn from friendship to rivalry – in future movies.

4) Cletus Kasady’s Carnage

Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Cletus Kasady and the Carnage symbiote was a highlight of *Venom: Let There Be Carnage*, making it more entertaining than other films in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Carnage was a compelling villain thanks to his unrestrained fury and wickedness, and stands out as one of the best parts of a franchise that hasn’t always hit the mark. The interesting dynamic and personal connection between Venom and Carnage added depth to the story, and it would be exciting to see that explored further in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Venom is confirmed to appear in season 2 of the animated *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man*, and there’s a good chance the symbiote will show up in a live-action MCU project soon.

3) Bolivar Trask

Though the villain Bolivar Trask appeared briefly in *X-Men: The Last Stand*, it was the 2014 film *X-Men: Days of Future Past* that truly established him as a compelling character. Peter Dinklage’s portrayal of Trask – a brilliant but cruel scientist who created the Sentinel robots in the 1970s – was particularly memorable. These robots were designed to control both humans and mutants, and Trask’s complex feelings about mutants make him a fascinating villain. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe prepares to introduce the X-Men, a human antagonist like Trask would be a welcome addition to oppose the mutant heroes.

2) Knull

Despite being set up as a major threat in *Venom: The Last Dance*, Knull didn’t really affect the story because he remained imprisoned. However, Knull is a hugely powerful villain in Marvel Comics, and it would be great to see him join the Marvel Cinematic Universe – perhaps with Andy Serkis reprising the role and getting more screen time. Given his importance to both Venom and Spider-Man’s storylines, and his impact on the comics in just seven years, Marvel has a chance to establish Knull as a truly terrifying villain in the MCU.

1) Erik Lehnsherr’s Magneto

Magneto, played by both Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender, is arguably the most compelling and powerful supervillain from Marvel’s films that hasn’t yet appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). McKellen’s portrayal in the original *X-Men* trilogy was outstanding, and Fassbender brilliantly continued that legacy, creating some of the most emotionally impactful scenes in the *X-Men* series. With McKellen now joining the MCU in *Avengers: Doomsday*, we may see a fitting end to his remarkable character arc. Magneto remains a top-tier X-Men villain, and fans are eager to see him officially join the MCU.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-most-sympathetic-mcu-villains-ranked-no-thanos-wasnt-right-actually/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-19 01:41