12 Returning MCU Villains, From Zemo To Loki

THE Marvel Cinematic Universe has had many villains unexpectedly return after seemingly being killed or incapacitated within the franchise. Alongside the franchise’s many heroes, the MCU films have introduced a wide variety of antagonists. Taken from the pages of Marvel Comics and adapted for the big screen, the MCU has introduced a number of notable and nefarious villains, many of whose respective stories tend to reach what seems like a natural conclusion.

However, not all of these apparent endings are actually the last appearance of the villain in question in the MCU timeline. Many of the MCU’s antagonists reappear, continuing their story within the franchise, and often in unexpected ways. Whether they return from the dead or simply make another appearance after their villainous arc has seemingly been resolved, here are 12 returning MCU villains.

12

Zemo returned as an unlikely MCU ally

First appearance: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Although Baron Zemo’s role in Captain America: Civil War wasn’t the main focus of the film, he was arguably the main antagonist of the 2016 film. His plan to divide the Avengers by sowing discontent in their ranks went exactly as the villain planned, exacting his revenge for the deaths of his family in Battle of Sokovia during the events of Age of Ultron: Civil War ended with Zemo being taken into custody, seemingly ending his story in the MCU.

However, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw Baron Zemo return, when he was recruited by Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to help stop the Flag Smashers. The nature of the series’ antagonists meant that Zemo’s own goals aligned with those of the heroes, making the former villain an unlikely – and temporary – ally. Even so, his story apparently ended after Civil Warand his return was a somewhat unexpected narrative development for the MCU.

11

The return of the Red Skull saw the villain given a new role

First appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

When it comes to powerful MCU villains that the franchise has seemingly wasted, Red Skull is often listed as one of the most obvious examples. His appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger set him up to be Steve Rogers’ ultimate enemy, but his apparent death at the end of the film put an abrupt end to that potential. Seven years of not even mentioning Red Skull made it seem like his story in the MCU was truly over after just one appearance.

The events of Avengers: Infinity War saw many characters return to the fold, including an unexpected appearance from the Red Skull. The villain’s new role as guardian of the Soul Stone within the MCU saw him play an additional role in the franchise’s Infinity Saga. with your return. Furthermore, it also opened the door for the antagonist to reappear in the MCU in a more antagonistic role.

10

Vulture returned outside of the MCU

First appearance: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Michael Keaton’s MCU debut has arrived Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, where he appeared as Adrian Toomes – better known as the villain Vulture. After being thwarted by Spider-Man, Toomes is arrested and shown at the end of the film in prison alongside other villains. As his crimes earned him a significant sentence, it seemed like Toomes’ story had already ended in the MCU some time ago.

Five years later, however, the Vulture returned in an unlikely manner. The multiversal consequences of Spider-Man: No Way Home I saw Toomes appear in Morbius‘ post-credits scene, teasing a future Sinister Six film within Sony’s Spider-Man universe. Having the Vulture cross over to another cinematic universe was an inventive way to free him from custodyand saw the return of an MCU villain who seemed destined to remain in prison.

9

General Thunderbolt Ross returned to oppose the MCU heroes

First appearance: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross first appeared in the MCU in 2008 The Incredible Hulkwhich saw him chasing Bruce Banner across the world in an attempt to capture him. Considering Ross is a major player in the world of Marvel Comics, his role in the franchise seemed short-lived as he pretty much disappeared along with the rest of Marvel. The Incredible Hulksupporting characters. However, Ross returned on several occasions.

Ross first returned in an attempt to exert government control over the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, marking his second appearance in the MCU after an eight-year hiatus. He then reappeared in 2021 Black Widowalthough with support capacity. Actor William Hurt’s death has cast doubt on Ross’s continued role in the MCU, but he’s set to return – with the role recast and played by Harrison Ford – as part of the cast of Captain America: Brave New World.

8

Yellowjacket returned as a new villain

First appearance: Ant-Man (2015)

Corey Stoll’s Darren Cross made his MCU debut in 2015 Ant-Manserving as the film’s main antagonist. The film saw Cross recreate Hank Pym’s formula for Pym Particles, building his own suit and calling himself Yellowjacket. Cross’s plans to sell his formula to the highest bidder – namely organizations such as Hydra and the Ten Rings – were opposed by Scott Lang and Hank Pym. The film’s ending saw the villain lost to the Quantum Realm, a fate that was supposedly as final as death.

Darren Cross made his unexpected return to the MCU as part of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniacast, albeit as an entirely different villain. Scott Lang and the Ant Family’s journey to the Quantum Realm saw them once again encounter Cross, who had been transformed into the villain MODOK by the quantum malfunction of his Yellowjacket suit. By doing this, Darren Cross has become one of a select number of MCU villains to take on the mantle of multiple villains with his return to the franchise.

7

Trevor Slattery and The Mandarin returned separately

First appearance: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 proved extremely controversial in its handling of the Mandarin, as the film revealed that the MCU’s iteration of the villain was simply a fabrication using an actor named Aldrich Killian’s Trevor Slattery. The reveal was as unpopular as it was subversive, seemingly robbing the MCU of one of Iron Man’s most iconic comic book foes. However, Iron Man 3Actually Mandarin has returned in more ways than one.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings saw the introduction of the real Mandarin, Xu Wenwu, as a true MCU villain. It also saw the return of Trevor Slattery, who had been arrested by Wenwu for making use of his persona. This followed the Mandarin’s brief return in the All Hail the King one-shot, setting up the villain’s full return within the MCU on multiple fronts.

6

Return of the Abomination Significantly Improved the Villain

First appearance: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Tim Roth was cast as Emil Blonsky in 2008 The Incredible Hulkwhich saw the character transform into the villain Abomination. The film ended with a full-scale confrontation between Hulk and Abomination, culminating in Blonsky’s capture and arrest. The villain then went unrecognized in the MCU for many years, seemingly forgotten alongside several other Phase 1 villains. However, just when it seemed like his story was over, he resurfaced.

Roth returned as Blonsky for She-Hulk: Lawyerreprising his villainous role in the best way possible. She-HulkAbomination was a reformed villain, instead offering support to the series’ hero in an attempt to redeem himself for his past mistakes.. Having Blonsky return after a 14-year absence to redeem himself in the eyes of the MCU was an incredibly satisfying development for one of the franchise’s seemingly forgotten villains.

5

Klaue returned to play a bigger villain role

First appearance: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

A relatively unknown comic book figure, Ulysses Klaue made his MCU debut with a minor role in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The arms dealer was approached by Ultron over his stash of stolen vibranium, with the AI ​​antagonist cutting off Klaue’s arm before relieving him of his wares. It initially seemed like this might be the end of Klaue’s story in the MCU, but he returned with a significant role a few years later.

Klaue reappeared in 2018 Black Pantherplaying a more significant role as part of Erik Killmonger’s plan to infiltrate and take control of Wakanda. Klaue’s previous experience entering Wakanda made him a valuable asset to Killmonger, although he was promptly betrayed by his accomplice and killed. Klaue’s return to the MCU may have been short-lived, but he was able to play a bigger role in his second outing in the franchise.

4

Ronan, the accuser, returned after the death

First appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Making his MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy In 2014, Ronan the Accuser was the first major introduction of the Kree into the franchise. His role as a puppet of Thanos before being corrupted by the Power Stone to betray the Mad Titan marked an important moment in the MCU. As Guardians of the Galaxy ended with Ronan being consumed by the Power Stone’s energy and killed, it certainly seemed like his story in the MCU had come to an end.

2019 Captain Marvel saw Ronan return, however. The MCU connection between Carol Danvers and the Kree provided the film with the opportunity to include Ronan once again, as it was set roughly two decades before the events of Guardians of the Galaxy. Ronan only makes a brief appearance in which he is easily overpowered by Captain Marvel, but was able to return despite his on-screen death five years earlier.

3

Killmonger reappeared in the MCU’s ancestral plane

First appearance: Black Panther (2018)

Often cited as one of the most complex and morally captivating villains in MCU history, Michael B. Jordan first appeared as Erik Killmonger in 2018. Black Panther. The villain emerged with the goal of establishing himself as ruler of Wakanda to share his power with the world, overthrowing the film’s hero in the process. The film ended with Killmonger’s death after a battle with T’Challa, giving him a story seemingly contained in a single film.

The sequence, Black Panther: Wakanda Foreversaw Killmonger make his return to the MCU. The tragic and untimely death of Chadwick Boseman gave the sequel a new perspective, with Shuri taking on her late brother’s mantle within the MCU. During its transformation, she meets Killmonger on the Ancestral Plane, with the villain making his second appearance in a limited role as Shuri’s unlikely guide to becoming a hero.

2

Agatha returned to direct her own MCU show

First appearance: WandaVision (2021)

Agatha Harkness served as the main villain of WandaVisionalbeit in a way that kept his true nature hidden from the audience for most of the show. The witch’s manipulation of Wanda Maximoff ended up causing the two to face each other, with the former Avenger gaining the upper hand. After taking the Darkhold from Agatha, Wanda stripped her of her magical abilities and her memories, forcing her to assume the role she chose to play during Westview’s spell.

Agatha all the time saw Agatha recover, ridding herself of Agnes’ personality and embarking on a journey to regain her powers. However WandaVision it certainly left Agatha’s story open for continuation, but it also gave her a final enough ending that the character never reappeared. Even so, Agatha all the time brought Harkness back to rediscover his skills in order to regain his former status within the MCU’s magical community.

1

Loki has come back from the dead many times

First appearance: Thor (2011)

When it comes to making sensational MCU returns, no villain can match Loki. Having appeared in several MCU films, Loki has died or been presumed dead on several occasions within the franchise. 2011 Thorits 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark Worldand Avengers: Infinity War all saw Loki supposedly meet his end, though each occasion proved surmountable for Asgard’s former God of Mischief.

Every time Loki’s story seems to have ended, he returns from the dead in one way or another to continue his role in the MCU. Your post-End of the game the foray into the Multiverse not only brought him back, but also saw the beginning of his journey to become much more heroic, ending with a heroic sacrifice to save all of reality. As such, Loki is recognized as the most frequently returned villain against all odds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.