2021 was a big year for Marvel with multiple cinematic releases and a range of debuting Disney+ TV shows. Amongst all of this content, fans were introduced to a range of new and returning antagonists, ripped straight from the comics. Indeed, this really felt like the year of the villain and was a great way to build up Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Despite the various fates these characters received, it's hard to not want more from them. Whether the performances were stellar, or perhaps the villain has quickly become beloved by fans, hopefully, there are plans in place to bring them back in some capacity!
Kingpin
Fans were eagerly anticipating the arrival of Kingpin, after the impact the character had made on the Netflix shows, as an antagonist to both The Punisher and Daredevil. His surprise introduction on Hawkeye was nothing short of stellar and his narrative with Echo is likely only just beginning.
The presence that Fisk brings to any scene is unmatched. There are plenty of places that the Marvel villain could show up again in the future, but there's definitely a lot more potential for Kingpin as a crime lord looking to reclaim his empire; especially against the likes of Maya or even Spider-Man.
Baron Zemo
The surface has really only been scratched with Zemo, who has only just garnered his Baron title and received his purple mask on screen for the first time. His latest showing demonstrated surprising charisma and a man hellbent on a singular mission.
Zemo is cold and calculated, with an interesting set of morals. He follows his own code to the letter and it's definitely worth continuing to track this character as he now finds his place amongst a world of superheroes that he so viciously despises. Is he the perfect Marvel villain or really transitioning into an anti-hero though?
Xu Wenwu
Xu Wenwu is by all accounts the real 'Mandarin' although he prefers not to go by this name. He might have perished on screen, but there are centuries where this ancient warrior dominated the criminal underworld and led huge armies to victory.
There are definitely some stories to tell there about the height of Xu Wenwu and the legacy he left behind. The performance of the character was subtle yet so powerful. The MCU would absolutely be enriched by the notion that audiences could see more of this vital foe.
Taskmaster
The Taskmaster was brought to the MCU in quite an unconventional way and although they have now largely been redeemed, there's still a lot more for the character to do. Fans mostly wanted a more comic-accurate portrayal of this elite fighter.
While there's a possibility that someone else picks up the mantle, which would certainly be a welcome continuation of the character, there's also a lot more that can be achieved with the woman beneath the suit, Antonia Dreykov, who might fit a title like Finesse better.
Green Goblin
Green Goblin is easily one of Spider-Man's most notorious enemies and demonstrated just how maniacal he can be. He has left a mark on Peter Parker that will never fade and will continue to traumatize the heroes of Marvel when he has the opportunity to surface again.
Frankly, the MCU needs to give Green Goblin more airtime. There's no foe quite like Norman Osborn, who can balance both charm and complete insanity within a simple sentence. The character is a true villain with very little in the way of motivation besides longing for bloodshed.
Sylvie
Sylvie might be a Loki variant, but she has quickly gone down a darker path than even the God of Mischief hadn't considered. She's solely responsible for ripping apart the Multiverse and appears to have no remorse in her actions. It's a given she'll return at some stage.
And she really should. She has an interesting backstory and her chemistry with Loki is impressive. She has a warrior's mind and a lot of charisma but is clearly haunted by her past. Ultimately, the character's arc has not concluded and there needs to be further stories to achieve that.
U.S. Agent
John Walker had all the makings of the next Captain America, but the opportunity continued to slip away as his true colors were shown. He would have always been better suited for the role of U.S.Agent which is exactly the transformative decision he has made.
The character has a shadowy future, potentially as part of the Dark Avengers or even the Thunderbolts. Regardless, it would be great to see the ideologically charged Walker return to the field as he struggles with what's morally right and what is purely for his own self-interests.
Valentina Allegra De Fontaine
In regards to the Dark Avengers or even Thunderbolts, Valentina appears to be the manipulating hand behind such a collaboration. She's already beginning to create a group of individuals who could actually rival Earth's mightiest heroes.
Her motivations are unclear but it's obvious that she has a lot of influence and plenty of powerful allies. As the current phase of the MCU develops it's very likely that audiences will see more from Valentina; she's easily one of the most mysterious figures brought onto screen.
Agatha Harkness
Agatha Harkness has been confirmed to return as the charm of this witch is undeniable. She's currently trapped in her own mind, as a supposed resident of Westview who is unable to break free of the curse. That's definitely going to change next time she appears though.
It's unclear how powerful Harkness is considering she went up against a Scarlet Witch, but there's just a lot more fun to be had with this reality-bending sorceress. She clearly knows so much more about the larger universe as well and Marvel fans would love to see her spin-off show dip into some of that knowledge.
Kang
Kang The Conquerer hasn't actually fully appeared in the MCU yet. He Who Remains has set the stage for the time traveler though and by all accounts, it appears that the villain will be the big bad of the Multiversal phase 4 which continues to unfold.
There's something otherworldly about this variant who used his incredible intellect to discover the secrets of the universe. The Avengers have been battling inconsequential foes in comparison to what someone like Kang can achieve. That's a really exciting prospect for Marvel devotees.