In a simpler, more conversational way: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for creating memorable superheroes, weaving intricate narratives, and raking in huge amounts at the box office. However, despite its many successes, it often falls short when it comes to crafting compelling villains.
It’s true that characters such as Thanos, Loki, and Killmonger have gained significant cultural recognition. However, many other villains haven’t quite reached their full potential on the big screen. Some of these characters were undermined by weak storylines, limited screen time, or confusing character transformations, causing them to fall short of their comic book personas.
Marvel often manages to redefine characters effectively. Loki, who was initially portrayed as a one-dimensional trickster, has transformed into a beloved antihero, demonstrating this capability. With careful adjustments, these villains could maintain or regain their intended roles as threats or complex personalities.
MCU Villains Marvel Still Has Time to Fix
The Wrecking Crew
In the Marvel Universe, a group known as the Wrecking Crew consists of four powerful villains: Wrecker, Thunderball, Piledriver, and Bulldozer. This quartet was given their powers by an Asgardian charm manipulated by Loki. The Wrecker serves as their leader, and they utilize enchanted construction tools that make them tough adversaries for superheroes like Thor.
In “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” (2022), the Wrecking Crew, acting as mercenaries, attempted to swipe Jennifer Walters’ blood for an enigmatic character called HulkKing. Their Asgardian weapons were a reference to their comic book backgrounds, but their portrayal fell flat. They were reduced to comedic cannon fodder and were swiftly overpowered by She-Hulk, making their magical artifacts seem insignificant props. The shallow development of their motivations and their prompt defeat diminished the danger they posed in the comics, which made them formidable adversaries.
It’s a great idea for Marvel Comics to reintegrate the Wrecking Crew into either a street-level series or a story focused on Thor. Instead of presenting them as random individuals, let’s emphasize their organized and formidable dynamic, showcasing their effective teamwork and potential Asgardian abilities. To give these characters depth, consider crafting an origin tale that links their powers to Loki or another Asgardian entity. Furthermore, a stylish overhaul of their weaponry would enhance the sense of danger they possess.
Titania
Mary MacPherran, commonly known as Titania, serves as She-Hulk’s main adversary in Marvel Comics. Originally a weak outcast, she gained immense power during the “Secret Wars,” becoming a force to be reckoned with, possessing superhuman strength and resilience. Driven by the need to prove herself superior, she has a deep-seated rivalry with She-Hulk that is both personal and fierce.
In the series “She-Hulk” (2022), Jameela Jamil’s character, Titania, was given a fresh take as a superficial social media influencer who also possesses immense strength. Her humorous introduction in the courtroom during the first episode was intriguing, but her role subsequently developed into trivial antics rather than the formidable rivalry portrayed in the comics. The motivations behind her actions seemed insubstantial, and her powers were not fully exploited, resulting in her becoming more of a nuisance than a genuine threat.
Introducing Titania once more in Season 2 of She-Hulk, or another related project, with a focus on her comic book roots, would greatly enhance the character. Marvel could delve into her past as a self-conscious outcast who transformed into a supervillain, and create a deep-seated grudge against Jennifer Walters. This would provide an engaging backstory for Titania and add a personal conflict to the series.
Scorpion
In the Marvel Comics universe, Mac Gargan, known as The Scorpion, is a longtime adversary of Spider-Man. Originally a detective who later turned to crime, he was equipped with a scorpion-styled suit that provides him extraordinary strength, agility, and a lethal stinger tail. His animosity towards Spider-Man is deeply personal, frequently stemming from his transition into villainy.
In the 2017 film “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, Michael Mando portrayed Mac Gargan as a minor criminal collaborating with Vulture. A post-credits scene hinted at his potential transformation into Scorpion, but this plot point failed to materialize, leaving viewers disappointed. Given his absence of a costume or superpowers, and limited on-screen presence, Mac Gargan fell short in comparison to the iconic Scorpion from the comics. The actor himself, Michael Mando, echoed the disappointment of fans over the underdevelopment of the Scorpion character.
The character of Scorpion may find redemption in another Spider-Man movie. He might don a state-of-the-art, comic book faithful suit, crafted by the Tinkerer, emphasizing his nimbleness and tail weaponry. Moreover, his animosity towards Peter Parker could be deepened as well.
Shocker
Herman Schultz, commonly known as Shocker, is a recurring villain in Spider-Man’s comic book world. He’s famous for his vibration-based gauntlets that can unleash strong shockwaves. With a background in criminal activities and a talent for technology, he consistently poses a challenge in the comics.
In the movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017), Bokeem Woodbine played the character Shocker who served as a secondary villain under Vulture. He utilized gauntlets powered by Chitauri technology. However, his part in the film was limited, and his battle with Spider-Man ended rather unspectacularly. The movie failed to delve into Shocker’s engineering abilities or character traits, leaving him as little more than a generic henchman.
As a devoted Spidey fan, I’d love to share an exciting speculation: In the upcoming chapters of the Spider-Man saga, we might just see the return of the menacing Shocker! With whispers of his comeback echoing through the Marvel realm, it seems like a thrilling possibility. If he does make an appearance, I’d adore to see him equipped with advanced, comic-book accurate gauntlets that truly showcase his technological genius. A backstory that emphasizes his technical prowess would add another layer of intrigue to this classic villain.
Justin Hammer
In the Marvel Universe, Justin Hammer serves as a competitive industrial tycoon to Tony Stark. He’s known for his devious business strategies, backing evil-doers and constructing armaments with the goal of surpassing Stark Industries. His intelligence and relentless drive often make him a recurring adversary.
In the film “Iron Man 2” (2010), Sam Rockwell’s character Justin Hammer served as a humorous contrast to Tony Stark. However, his exaggerated actions and absence of genuine threat gave him a feeling of being overly dramatic and almost cartoonish.
The partnership between him and Whiplash wasn’t fully fleshed out, and his loss was too effortless, making it seem like he lacked the potential to be a significant threat. If Rockwell shows interest in reprising his role, Hammer could return as a cunning strategist who has grown from his past mistakes.
Baron Mordo
In the Marvel universe, Baron Karl Mordo is a mage educated at Kamar-Taj, fueled by envy and an unbending conviction about the proper use of magic. His treachery against Doctor Strange establishes him as a multifaceted, frequent adversary.
In the 2016 film “Doctor Strange”, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character Mordo started as a supportive ally but became a disillusioned zealot. However, his narrative was left incomplete. His post-credits scene suggested a mission against dangerous sorcerers, but he has not reappeared (or at least, not this version of the character), leaving his tale untold and fans eager for more.
Let’s bring back Mordo in either “Doctor Strange 3” or “Avengers: Secret Wars” (2027) and delve into his intricate moral dilemmas. We should also focus on developing a captivating, magic-intensive fighting style for him that will be visually stunning.
Abomination
In the Marvel Comic universe, Emil Blonsky, also known as Abomination, is a fearsome, gamma-infused creature born from an unsuccessful super-soldier project. Once a soldier with ambitions for power, his immense physical strength and primal temperament place him among Hulk’s toughest adversaries. His motivations are fueled by both jealousy and anger.
2022’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” featured Tim Roth’s character Abomination in a surprising transformation, now portraying a self-help guru at a wellness retreat, quite different from his intimidating introduction in “The Incredible Hulk” (2008). This comedic shift aimed to depict Blonsky’s journey towards redemption but it somewhat diminished the fearsome character from the comics. The role appeared more like a novelty act, offering less action and lacking any delve into his internal struggles or gamma-infused abilities. The show’s playful atmosphere didn’t give him the opportunity to truly excel.
In the second season of She-Hulk, Marvel could delve deeper into Emil Blonsky’s (Abomination) redemption storyline. They might focus on his struggle to curb his gamma-induced fury, generating an intriguing conflict between his transformed self and his violent history. To retain the character’s menacing presence, a fresh design based on comic book accuracy could be employed, featuring a towering, scaly, and imposing appearance.
Red Skull
In the Marvel Comics universe, Johann Schmidt, more infamously known as Red Skull, serves as Captain America’s main antagonist. He is a ruthless Nazi scientist who is consumed by an insatiable lust for power, driven by his pursuit of the Tesseract. His cunning intellect and radical ideology make him one of the most chilling villains in the series.
In the 2011 film “Captain America: The First Avenger,” Hugo Weaving’s character, the Red Skull, made for an impressive villain. However, his demise at the hands of the Tesseract seemed sudden. His subsequent appearances as a cosmic gatekeeper in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame” were fascinating, but fans felt they didn’t get enough of the Red Skull, relegating him more to a plot device rather than a fully fleshed-out character.
Reintroducing the character Red Skull in a future film like “Avengers: Secret Wars” (2027) could prove to be quite interesting. Perhaps he could be released from his cosmic imprisonment, becoming a threat that transcends our universe.
The Collector
Taneleer Tivan, also known as The Collector, is a character from Marvel Comics who has an unusual fascination for accumulating unique items and creatures. This quirky individual can add an unpredictable element to any cosmic tale due to his extraordinary powers.
In the 2014 film “Guardians of the Galaxy”, Benicio del Toro’s character, The Collector, was a unique intermediary and intriguing figure, however, his limited on-screen appearances and ambiguous intentions didn’t allow for a fully fleshed out portrayal. The outcome of his story following Thanos’ assault in “Infinity War” was initially uncertain, but it was eventually revealed that he had sold Knowhere to the Guardians. This sudden retirement seems premature; there’s still a lot more that The Collector could contribute to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He might make a comeback in another cosmic Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) venture, offering more insight into the reasons behind his sale of Knowhere, possibly unveiling larger, more complex plans for his character.
The Grandmaster
In the Marvel universe, the Grandmaster is one of the Elders of the Cosmos, known for his deceitful and entertaining nature as he arranges lethal competitions. His immense cosmic abilities and cleverness set him apart as a distinctive danger.
In the 2017 movie “Thor: Ragnarok,” Jeff Goldblum’s character, the Grandmaster, stood out as a comedic gem. However, his portrayal relied excessively on humor, and it seemed to diminish the threatening aura that his comic book counterpart possesses. The conclusion of Sakaar’s rebellion left his storyline inconclusive and unresolved.
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but suggest that it’s high time they reintroduce the charismatic Grandmaster in an interstellar Marvel Cinematic Universe adventure! This time around, let’s give him a twist of cunning manipulation, where he ensnares more heroes and villains alike into his tumultuous cosmic games. The stakes have never been higher for our beloved characters as they battle for survival in the Grandmaster’s chaotic arena!
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2025-07-13 21:07