Jude Law’s MCU Villain Wish Comes True in Surprising Role Reprisal

In a slightly different phrasing:
Jude Law’s character in Captain Marvel, who turned out to be the main antagonist, felt like a missed opportunity for development, yet the MCU successfully revived the character four years later. Although the film received mixed reactions, Captain Marvel was still a significant milestone for the studio and its cast members. One of these actors was Jude Law portraying Yon-Rogg, Carol Danvers’ mentor from Hala in the Kree society. Initially appearing trustworthy, it was later revealed that Yon-Rogg was indeed the film’s villain as the true intentions of the Kree were disclosed. Unfortunately, Yon-Rogg’s potential as a formidable villain was not fully realized due to restricted screen time.

Although Yon-Rogg survived the storyline in Captain Marvel, his character was only contractually bound for one film and did not feature in The Marvels. In an interview with Variety in 2024, Jude Law spoke about his MCU experience, stating, “I don’t believe there were many more opportunities left for Yon-Rogg. For me, that was the pinnacle of Marvel.” Despite being content with his time spent on the role, he wished for a more expansive exploration of the character. Fortunately, Law had an opportunity to reprise his role as Yon-Rogg in season 2 of What If…?

Jude Law’s Captain Marvel Role Didn’t Fully Flesh Out The MCU Villain

Marvel Has A Habit Of Wasting Villains

The role of Captain Marvel in Law’s movie was impacted by a persistent trend in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where characters don’t get much opportunity to grow if they only appear once, especially villains who require well-defined motivations. The MCU often uses death as a resolution for its villains, which is acceptable, but sometimes, keeping a villain alive makes for more intriguing consequences. Characters who survive beyond one project often see their development overlooked and neglected. Yon-Rogg survived Captain Marvel, but his absence from the MCU since the 2019 film means this potential growth has yet to be realized.

Yon-Rogg served as an intriguing antagonist due to a surprising twist – the Kree, who were initially depicted as Carol’s most powerful allies, had secret intentions. As she delved into her human past, she discovered their true objectives, which directly conflicted with what she was working for. The movie could have benefited from exploring Yon-Rogg’s role in this betrayal more deeply. He was responsible for the death of Carol’s original trainer and misused her new abilities for the enemy side. By expanding his character development, he might have appeared more menacing, but unfortunately, his portrayal seemed underdeveloped.

Jude Law’s Comments About Yon-Rogg Make It Clear He Would Have Liked To Add More Humor To The Role

Leaning Into Humor Could’ve Made Yon-Rogg Stand Out

In an interview for Variety, Law expressed that his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was enjoyable, but he regretted not being able to explore a slightly more playful aspect of his character. He stated, “I yearned for the chance to add a touch of whimsy to the role. I aimed to make him more eccentric. I wanted to emphasize the comedic elements more.” Despite the MCU’s formidable lineup of truly frightening villains, some characters thrive with a dash of humor, particularly when they aren’t portrayed as the deadliest adversaries.

Yon-Rogg might have benefited from some comedic elements in his portrayal, as he was a villain yet lacked a very somber demeanor. Introducing more distinct qualities to his character could’ve made it easier for viewers to recognize him as the primary antagonist of the film, but unfortunately, he tended to blend with the backdrop. It seems that Marvel had a specific vision for Yon-Rogg, which left little wiggle room for Law to explore and develop the character, but it’s intriguing to hear the actor’s perspective on his role even years later.

Yon-Rogg’s What If…? Season 2 Appearance Let Jude Law’s Movie Wish Come True In A Different Way For The MCU

Law Voiced Yon-Rogg In The Disney+ Show

Law ultimately got another chance to portray Yon-Rogg, albeit not in the anticipated Captain Marvel sequel. Instead, he lent his voice to the character in episode 1 of What If…? season 2. This storyline depicted an alternate universe where Nebula became a member of the Nova Corps. In this scenario, Yon-Rogg was released from prison to assist Nebula, but eventually betrayed her. Nebula managed to regain control of the mission and Yon-Rogg met his end. Although it wasn’t the primary Yon-Rogg from the MCU, it was enjoyable to see Law reappear in some form.

In a humorous twist, Law’s wish was granted indirectly in the series What If…?. It’s surprising given that Marvel seems uninterested in reviving his character altogether. His brief return as Yon-Rogg and the creative freedom he enjoyed during this appearance is more than many MCU characters typically receive. The villain from Captain Marvel, who was initially underutilized, has been compensated for in an unconventional manner by Marvel.

2025-04-27 21:38