Villains make movies. A good villain always makes a movie work, with the best villains either pushing the heroes to their limits or perhaps even winning the heroic struggle. As it stands, the best villains for films happen to come from the best source of heroes, comic books.
For years now, Marvel has made a plethora of films, ranging from cinematic universes to standalone features. While some of the upcoming Marvel films have a great number of classic villains appearing, many fans can't help but hope and wish for their favorite villains to appear in the world of Marvel.
Confirmed: The Mandarin
When it was announced all the way back in 2013 that the Mandarin, the famed Iron Man villain, would be appearing in Iron Man 3, fans were more than excited to see the ten rings wielding madman in action only to be disappointed when the villain ended up being a dud in a pretty good plot twist.
However, it was confirmed that the real Mandarin will be showing up in the upcoming Shang Chi film. With luck, this Mandarin, played by Tony Leung, will be a worthy adaptation of the character.
Confirmed: Taskmaster
Different abilities and powers make villains who they are, setting them apart from one another. While some of them can blend together, others remain unique, such as the abilities of Taskmaster, the villain set to make his mark in Black Widow.
Equipped with the ability to mimic his opponents, the heroes of the MCU, fighting styles, and strengths, not to mention outfitted with an array of weapons and tricks, Taskmaster is the perfect foe to face down Black Widow. Master assassin vs master assassin. Marvel fans, place your bets and prepare for an epic showdown.
Confirmed: Gorr The God Butcher
Without a doubt, the Thor series is one of the weakest ones in the MCU, especially after the horrendous Thor the Dark World was named one of the worst MCU films. After Thor: Ragnorok became one of the best MCU movies out there, however, it opened the door for a fourth film and for a villain who could top the likes of Hela.
The only thing that could top a goddess of death is a butcher of Gods. Introduced during Jason Aarons's legendary Thor run, Gorr the God Butcher is a brutal, terrifying foe hellbent on destroying the Gods. Christian Bale will take up the role in Thor: Love and Thunder in theatres May 2022.
Confirmed: Kang The Conqueror
Rumors can do wonders for fans. Whenever rumors or projects are confirmed, they can lift any fan's spirits with joy and happiness, with the prospects of their favorite hero or villain set to make their big-screen appearance. So when Kang the Conqueror was confirmed to be appearing in the MCU, it got many fans excited.
Quite recently, Jonathan Majors was announced to be playing the time-traveling warmonger in Ant-Man 3. What he'll be doing, only time and fans imaginations will tell and with luck, it'll be worth the wait.
Confirmed: Carnage
After everyone's favorite anti-hero, Venom made his film debut in 2018 to mixed reactions in his first feature film, fans knew who they wanted as the villain for the sequel, a villain far more powerful than the knock off Venom that was Riot: Carnage.
The craziest and most vicious killer in all of the Marvel universe, Cletus Kassady is the "son" of Venom, bonded to an equally psychotic symbiote that he uses to sow death and destruction wherever he goes. Hopefully, Woody Harelson can replicate Carnage's brutal nature in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Confirmed: The Deviants
Given a large number of villains and rogues galleries, it's easy to forget some along the way. Once studios make their way through the bigs bad though, they find themselves looking at those forgotten foes, among which lies the Deviants.
The enemies of the celestial beings, the Eternals, the Deviants are disturbing creatures that have battled the Eternals over the years. Set to appear in Eternals, the Deviants could be an interesting and memorable antagonist for the celestial beings and the likes of the Black Knight, also set to appear.
Hope: MODOK
Let it be said that while Marvel has some of the best villains in the world of comics, they also have some of the strangest. From the likes of a Stilt-man to Hit-monkey, all pale in comparison to the likes of MODOK.
A Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing, MODOK is a giant head stuck in a floating chair. Despite this, MODOK is actually a formidable foe, with telepathic powers and intellect that allow him to best the likes of Ant-Man or the Avengers in any of their films.
Hope: Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Over the years, it's become a well-known fact that whenever there is a Spider-Man, there must also be a Norman Osborn, a Green Goblin. Time and time again, Peter Parker and Norman Osborn have thrown down in comics, tv series, and even films, and yet, the MCU could make his next appearance worthwhile.
While seeing Spider-Man's most deadly foe flying around would be memorable, with whoever is cast to play the Green Goblin in the MCU battling Tom Holland, Norman Osborn is equally as deadly, a threat that could rival that of the Avengers with his own team.
Hope: Namor
The world of Marvels is full of rulers and conquerors, with each one as interesting as the last, whether they are the king of Wakanda or the tyrant of Latveria. Among all these rulers and kings, deep beneath the waves, there rests a ruler like no other, Namor.
Introduced during the golden age of Marvel, Namor is the ruler of Atlantis, set on protecting his underwater kingdom from the surface world no matter the cost, which would put the sub-mariner at odds with the MCU heroes.
Hope: Nightmare
It's somewhat easy to find a villain to battle a hero but it's difficult to adapt a good terrifying villain. To transfer a horror villain onto the big screen is a difficult task. Yet, the terrifying form of Nightmare is one villain who could work.
Ruler of the dream dimension, Nightmare is a terrifying force to be reckoned with, with the ability to twist and control dreams. With luck, perhaps this horror villain could make an appearance in Doctor Strange 2, which is set to be a Marvel horror film.