History is written by the winners, they say. Obviously, that holds true in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where the Avengers and co. are the predominant focus of the films. However, that isn't always the case with reality television's biggest franchise, Survivor. While the heroes of Survivor leave with the million dollars and title of Sole Survivor often, so too do the villains.
Ever since Richard Hatch, the show's first villain and first winner, took home the million, the show has proven a breeding ground for some of television's nastiest personalities. Those personalities happen to share some unsurprising characteristics with some of film's most famous villains, as well.
Jeff Varner & Killian Aldrich
Jeff Varner, both an old-school and new-school player, went from being a traditional anti-hero to a full-blown villain, and it only took him three seasons. Much like Killian Aldrich, the secret baddie of Iron Man 3, Varner's most villainous trait was using other people as his punching bag.
But just as Aldrich's plan to use the Mandarin ultimately failed, so too did Varner's when he outed Survivor fan favorite Zeke on national television. Varner was unceremoniously dismissed from the show and has never returned to the franchise.
Corrine Kaplan & Agatha Harkness
Corrine was the funniest part of what is otherwise one of the worst seasons of Survivor, Gabon. Her quick wit and sarcastic put-downs overstepped the line on more than one occasion, turning her from a sass to a bully. Much like WandaVision's Agnes (aka Agatha Harkness), Corrine was always looking to please herself at the expense of the sweet, innocent people around her. This ultimately culminated in one of the most vicious final tribal speeches ever, where she eviscerated pin-up girl, Sugar. Agatha would surely have approved.
Brian Heidik & Mysterio
The used cars salesman Brian Heidik is one of the rare early contestants to never return to the show. That may be because he ended up winning the fifth season of Survivor, or it may be because he wasn't sure his strategy would work twice. Brian worked every single person on his tribe, convincing them he was their friend before relentlessly stabbing them in the back. Just like Spider-Man's Mysterio, he had a good guy's attitude and a bad guy's game plan. That he was able to win sets him apart from Mysterio. Maybe the MCU villain would have been more successful if he'd toted a grumpy old man to the end with him as well.
Tyson Apostol & The Winter Soldier
Besides the beard and luscious locks, the Winter Soldier and Tyson have quite a lot in common. In Tyson's original season in Brazil, he played second fiddle to Coach, one of the show's most entertaining villains. Then he had a rather forgettable return in Season 20. Eventually, Tyson grew into his own, going on to win one of the most beloved recent seasons of the series.
Bucky Barnes, a different kind of castaway, followed a similar arc, going from sidekick to fan favorite. What the future holds for the Winter Soldier, or for more appearances from Tyson, is yet to be determined.
Jerri Manthey & Hela
The very first woman to play a villain on Survivor was also one of the series' most memorable. Jerri was mean, ruthless, and unafraid to take what she wanted. Much like Hela, the older sister who rains destruction in Thor: Ragnarok, Jerri felt that she was just taking what was owed to her - not a kingdom per se, but a check for a million dollars. Of course, neither Hela nor Jerri ended up getting what they wanted. But they both popularized their own iconic outfit, whether that be an Outback hat or a black spiked crown.
Benjamin "Coach" Wade & Ego
To compare the soccer coach and orchestra instructor, Coach, to the literal human-planet named Ego seems almost too easy. Though it's been over twenty seasons since Coach's first appearance of Survivor, he remains one of the most eccentric characters ever cast. From his hunger strike in the Brazilian highlands to his habitual Tai Chi, Coach was one of a kind. While the entire universe didn't revolve around him, you'd have an easier time telling Guardians of the Galaxy's Ego that than Coach.
Richard Hatch & Ultron
Few players have ever been in control of the game quite like Richard Hatch was in the inaugural season of the soon-to-be hit show. Much like The Avenger's Ultron, Hatch brandished every weapon at his disposal to win, presenting them with grandiosity and quite a lot of speechifying. While Hatch won the first season, he wouldn't go on to win again, being overmatched by later players who knew his schtick. Even if Ultron said he would win, it didn't necessarily translate to real life. So it goes for Richard Hatch as well.
Jonny Fairplay & Loki
Love him or hate him, Jonny Fairplay pulled some of the shrewdest, most cunning, and devious tricks ever pulled in Survivor. If they hadn't completely destroyed his reputation they may have just gotten him the title of Sole Survivor. Loki, God of Mischief, should be a rather unsurprising comparison then.
Loki, just like Fairplay, could never be trusted, always playing both sides of every situation, looking only to benefit himself. Some people can't stand that about him; others love and respect him. Fairplay, just as divisive, left a very similar legacy.
Parvati Shallow & Black Widow
Let's nip the controversy in the bud: Black Widow is not a villain. While that would be an audacious claim to make, the comparison still holds water, as Parvati famously created and dubbed her alliance the Black Widow Brigade. Parvati's game plan was a simple one: Create an all-women alliance, and then systematically show the men who's boss. It worked. It won her an All-Star season in Micronesia, and then brought her back to final tribal a few years later in Heroes vs. Villains. Parvati took the namesake of one badass woman and she put it to good use.
Russell Hantz & Thanos
The most famous pure villain in Survivor history, Russell Hantz, not only bears a striking resemblance to the destroyer of worlds, Thanos, but a similar mindset. Hantz went to back-to-back final tribals, outlasting all of his competitors by wielding immunity idols like Infinity Stones, destroying their personal items, and crushing their alliances. It is not overstating things to say that Russell quite literally felt that his win was "inevitable." However, just like the great purple villain, Russell never did get what he came for. His own evil ended up beating him. But, no one has ever been able to make his competition disappear at the snap of his fingers quite like Russell Hantz.