The MCU must introduce some major villains soon, especially if they want to go down the same path as the Secret Wars comics in Avengers: Secret Wars.
In preparing for Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU still needs to introduce several villains, so it can effectively stick the landing. The MCU took its biggest leap yet into truly establishing the Multiverse Saga by introducing the presumptive big bad, Kang the Conqueror, in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The ongoing in Phases 5 and 6 will all culminate in the collapse of the multiverse from incursions and, likely, in the formation of the Battleworld. Yet, the MCU still has a great deal of groundwork to lay before then if they’re going to follow the various Secret Wars comic series as written by Jim Shooter and later Jonathan Hickman.
Many key characters are completely missing or out of commission. Thankfully, the litany of upcoming projects gives the MCU ample opportunity to introduce them – although they also have to contend with the conundrum they established by Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania killing off Kang, their Thanos-level villain. Some characters likely can’t feature, or at least not in the same roles they play in the comics. This includes those associated with the X-Men or cosmic tales the MCU isn’t ready to handle yet, such as Mister Sinister, Apocalypse, and Galactus. Nevertheless, other Secret Wars villains fare better and could come into play soon.
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SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAYClose9The Beyonder
The most important villain connected to the Secret Wars comic series is the Beyonder. A nigh-omnipotent being from beyond the bounds of the Multiverse, the Beyonder was the main antagonist for both Secret Wars and Secret Wars II, in which he created the first Battleworld and sought to learn the secrets of what it is to be human. That experimentation only led him to wish to destroy the multiverse and all reality. Interestingly, there hasn’t been any clear indication of the Beyonder thus yet in the Multiverse Saga, which could mean Kang will operate as the Beyonder in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Perhaps Kang was not killed in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but he was merely transformed into something more powerful, allowing him to really achieve his goals for true multiversal conquest. This could then limit the actual appearance of the Beyonder in Avengers: Secret Wars and beyond. At the very least, if Kang does indeed fill this role in the ongoing narrative, there can be a reference to the Beyonder to acknowledge his significant connection to the comic series. Thus far, they haven’t set the stage for the Beyonder’s involvement, so unless things change throughout Phase 5, it doesn’t seem likely to happen by Avengers: Secret Wars.
8Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom is perhaps Marvel’s most significant villain, so unlike the Beyonder, his future in the MCU is practically guaranteed. In fact, Avengers: Secret Wars’ title logo and color scheme seem to signal Doctor Doom’s Secret Wars upgrade as God Emperor Doom. Plus, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ incorporation of incursions and the Illuminati do set up Avengers: Secret Wars drawing more on the 2015 arc, which thus sets up big things for Doctor Doom. All that awaits is his introduction. Rumors suggested that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would bring him into the MCU, but with Fantastic Four, his time is surely coming.
Interestingly, like the Beyonder, Doctor Doom’s role throughout the Multiverse Saga might look quite different from in the comics. They are already setting up Kang and his variants as the main threat to the multiverse in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, and adding in Doctor Doom, especially as God Emperor Doom, might be just too much with too little time to set it up effectively. Therefore, Doctor Doom may instead act as a hero opposing the Kang Dynasty. This can then set up the longer arc and more nuanced arc throughout the next saga and beyond that Doctor Doom deserves.
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7Molecule Man
Like Doctor Doom, Molecule Man is significantly foundational to the Secret Wars arcs. He was among the group of supervillains transported to the first Battleworld by the Beyonder, but in the second, he was used by Doctor Doom to destroy the Beyonders and form his own Battleworld as God Emperor Doom. This is because Molecule Man is a nexus being – just as Scarlet Witch and Kang are in the MCU – with one existing in every universe. He was a multiversal bomb made by the Beyonders, so should a Molecule Man die or be killed, his reality would be destroyed too.
As with others, the MCU might be passing his role and purpose onto another. In this case, Scarlet Witch, with her multiverse prophecy, could be brought back to unite the multiverse in Avengers: Secret Wars, whether by Doctor Doom or, more likely Kang. Nevertheless, there’s still a chance they could make Molecule Man work in such a short time. Specifically, they would need to feature Molecule Man as the main antagonist in Fantastic Four and then give him prominence also in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. That’s certainly feasible given his deep connection and history with the team in the comics.
6The Cabal
The greatest prospect from Avengers: Secret Wars and the Multiverse Saga is the opportunity to introduce various versions of characters. In some realities, prominent heroes are villains and vice versa. In one universe, Earth-838, as seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the heroes were able to beat Thanos before he ever snapped his fingers. They were part of the Illuminati. Surely, the MCU might see a new Illuminati form to oppose the Kang Dynasty, but it could also introduce their villainous counterpart, the Cabal, who play a largely antagonistic role throughout the 2015 Secret Wars series.
The Cabal first formed in the wake of the Secret Invasion event, and with the Disney+ series coming, maybe something similar is being set up in the MCU. Initially, the team is made of Namor, Doctor Doom, Emma Frost, Loki, Norman Osborn, and The Hood. The roster has changed up over the years to include Thanos, Black Swan (a multiversal villain importantly connected to incursions), and the Maker, Mister Fantastic’s villainous variant. The Cabal took it upon themselves to destroy other universes to protect their own, so they could certainly feature in Avengers: Secret Wars. Plus, perhaps as in the comics, the Cabal can bring Miles Morales into the MCU.
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5Amora The Enchantress
Among the select villains brought to the Battleworld by the Beyonder in the first Secret Wars were Kang the Conqueror, Doctor Doom, Titania, the Wrecking Crew, and the Enchantress. Amora the Enchantress is one of Thor’s most significant adversaries in the comics, an Asgardian with vast magical abilities. She played an interesting role in the Secret Wars arc, spending most of her time trying to find a way home, either by seducing Thor or manipulating her fellow villains rather than fighting. Nevertheless, her impressive talents shouldn’t be belittled, and given her vast history in the comics, Enchantress deserves her due in the MCU.
The one thing that might be limiting Amora’s introduction is Sylvie from Loki and how her actions are significant to the Multiverse Saga. Sylvie is an amalgam of Lady Loki and the second Enchantress, Sylvie Lushton. Nevertheless, even beyond Avengers: Secret Wars, Amora could have a role in the MCU, opposite various characters, including Thor, Loki, Sylvie, Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, and Hulk, as in the comics. She could join up with Baron Zemo’s Masters of Evil and even be involved in Wonder Man’s arc. As such, there are plenty of opportunities for the MCU to utilize Amora the Enchantress. They just need to introduce her.
4Maestro
By uniting universes across the multiverse, the MCU has the distinct opportunity to introduce key alternate versions of characters who would otherwise have difficulty coming into play. One such character is Maestro, Hulk’s evil counterpart from an alternate future. In the wake of destructive nuclear wars and years of experimentation, he had become so disheartened in humanity that he turned on his friends and became the cruel warlord, Maestro. Intriguingly, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is important for Hulk, who is deserving of better attention, and bringing Maestro into play in Avengers: Secret Wars can better ensure his rightful treatment.
Maestro serves as one of Doctor Doom’s Barons on his Battleworld, ruling one of the domains, but he sought to supplant God Emperor Doom and rule himself. His role in Avengers: Secret Wars probably wouldn’t involve that, but it would be significant for the Hulk as it would allow him to truly confront his darker aspects and perspectives. Naturally, this would be perfect for a future Hulk film, but with the state of things contractually and logistically, Avengers: Secret Wars might be Maestro’s best bet in the MCU.
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3Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus has already appeared in the MCU when Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back Alfre Molina’s version. While that Doctor Octopus got the arc reactor, bringing a close to his arc from Spider-Man 2 of wanting to hold the power of the sun in his hand, the MCU can still incorporate Doctor Octopus again in the future. Avengers: Secret Wars presents the perfect opportunity of introducing a new version of Spider-Man’s greatest enemy without having to recycle Molina’s version once again. Like in the first Secret Wars series, Avengers: Secret Wars could bring a new Doctor Octopus into the fray, allowing them to continue on beyond the Multiverse Saga.
To really diverge from the Doctor Octopus that people are familiar with, Otto Octavius, the MCU could go with someone else who’s taken up the mantle. Such possibilities would include Luke Carlyle or Carolyn Trainer. Alternatively, the MCU could somewhat pick up from what they set up in Spider-Man: No Way, by showcasing Doctor Octopus more as an anti-hero than a villain. Regardless, he couldn’t be on the shortlist for Spider-Man 4 villains, but Avengers: Secret Wars could unlock a plethora of new stories for the MCU to explore with Doctor Octopus.
2Lizard
Naturally, the Lizard is in the same situation as Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back Rhys Ifans’ version from The Amazing Spider-Man, although Ifans wasn’t actually involved in the filming since they reportedly used archival footage of him – though he did voice the character again. The Lizard was also among the group of villains united by the Beyonder with Doctor Octopus, but he actually chose not to engage in the conflict. After the first battle, he decided to hide away in a swamp while the heroes and villains kept fighting.
He could easily be brought back in Avengers: Secret Wars should the MCU want to feature recognizable villains from across the multiverse. That would be a great opportunity since Spider-Man: No Way Home missed the mark with its portrayal of the Lizard as the least important of the film’s “fearsome five.” While he wouldn’t get a central focus, perhaps they can give him some attention – perhaps even striking up a friendship with the Wasp as he does in the comics.
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1Volcana
The first Secret Wars arcs were quite interesting to consider because they saw the actual creation of two new Marvel supervillains – one of whom went on to develop significantly over the subsequent decades. That would be Titania, who has since become She-Hulk’s nemesis and featured in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, played by Jameela Jamil. She was empowered by Doctor Doom, alongside Marsha Rosenberg, who became Volcana, a villain with volcanic and thermal energy powers, who is also romantically linked to Molecule Man.
Besides Avengers: Secret Wars, the perfect place to introduce Volcana might actually be in a future season of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, featuring her alongside Titania. She certainly isn’t as popular as Doctor Doom, the Beyonder, or her boyfriend, Molecule Man, but the MCU could make them stars in Avengers: Secret Wars. The MCU has found diamonds in the rough with its villains before, and with Volcana, they could do it again.
