12 returning MCU villains, from Zemo to Loki

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had many villains unexpectedly return after seemingly being killed or otherwise incapacitated in the franchise. Along with the many heroes of the franchise, the MCU movies have introduced a wealth of antagonists. Lifted from the pages of Marvel Comics and adapted to the big screen, the MCU has featured a number of noteworthy and nefarious villains, many of whose respective stories tend to reach what is a natural conclusion.

Not all of these apparent endings are actually the final appearance of the villain in question in the MCU’s timeline, however. Many of the antagonists of the MCU reappear, continuing their story in the franchise, and often in an unexpected manner. Whether they return from the dead or simply make another appearance after their villain arc is seemingly resolved, here are 12 MCU villains who have returned.

12

Zemo returns 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 movie, he was undoubtedly the main antagonist of the 2016 film. His scheme to divide the Avengers by sowing discontent in their ranks was exactly as the villain planned, exacting his revenge for the death of his family at the Battle of Sokovia during the events of Age of Ultron: Civil war Ended with Zemo taken into custody, seemingly bringing his MCU story to a close.

however, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Saw Baron Zemo return, as he was enlisted by Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to assist in stopping the Flag Smashers. The nature of the show’s 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 was seemingly over yet 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 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’ Lemesis, but his apparent death at the end of the movie put an abrupt end to that potential. Seven years without even a mention of Red Skull made it seem like his MCU story was really finished 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 the guardian of the Soul Stone in the MCU saw him play another part in the Infinity Saga franchise With his return. Furthermore, it also opens the door for the antagonist to reappear in the MCU in a more antagonistic role.

10

Vulture has returned outside of the MCU

First Appearance: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Michael Keaton’s MCU debut came in Spider-Man: Homecoming In 2017, where he appeared as Adrian Toomes – better known as the villain The Vulture. After being thwarted by Spider-Man, Toomes is arrested and shown at the end of the movie in prison along with other villains. As his crimes will have earned him a significant sentence, it seemed like Toomes’ story was over in the MCU for some time.

Five years later, however, the vulture returned in an unlikely manner. The multiversal fallout of Spider-Man: No Way Home Saw Toomes appear in Morbius‘ post-credits scene, teasing a future Sinister Six movie in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Having the Vulture cross over into another movie universe was an inventive way to release him from custodyAnd it saw the return of an MCU villain who was otherwise destined to remain in prison.

9

General Thunderbolt Ross has returned to face the heroes of the MCU

First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross first appeared in the MCU in 2008 The Incredible Hulkwhich saw him chase Bruce Banner around the world in an attempt to capture him. Considering that Ross has long been a major player in the world of Marvel Comics, his role in the franchise was short-lived, as he all but disappeared along with the rest of The Incredible Hulks supporting characters. However, Ross returned on several occasions.

Ross first returned in an attempt to enforce government control over the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, which was his second appearance in the MCU after an eight-year hiatus. Then he appeared again in 2021 Black WidowAlthough in a supporting capacity. The death of actor William Hurt casts Ross’s continued MCU role in doubt, however He is 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 whole new villain

First Appearance: Ant-Man (2015)

Corey Stoll’s Darren Cross made his MCU debut in 2015 Ant manServed as the main antagonist of the movie. The film saw Cross recreate Hank Pym’s formula for Pym particles, building a suit of his own and dubbing himself the Yellowjacket. Cross’s plans to sell his formula to the highest bidder – namely, organizations such as Hydra and the Ten Rings – saw him opposed by Scott Lang and Hank Pym. The end of the movie saw the villain lost to the quantum realm, a fate that was supposedly as final as death.

Darren Cross made his unexpected MCU return as part of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumanias cast, albeit as a completely different villain. Scott Lang and the Ant-Family’s journey into the quantum realm saw them once again encounter Cross, who had been transformed into the villainous MODOK by the quantum malfunction of his Yellowjacket suit. In doing so, Darren Cross has become one of a select number of MCU villains to assume the mantle of multiple villains with his franchise return.

7

Trevor Slattery and The Mandarin returned separately

First appearance: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 Proved massively 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 Trevor Slattery by Aldrich Killian. The reveal was as unpopular as it was subversive, seemingly robbing the MCU of one of Iron Man’s most iconic foes from the comics. however, Iron Man 3S Mandarin actually 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 was imprisoned by Venvu for using his persona. This came after the Mandarin’s brief return in the All Hail the King one-shot, and set up the villain’s full return to the MCU on multiple fronts.

6

Abomination’s return has improved the villain considerably

First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Tim Roth was cast as Emil Blonsky for 2008’s The Incredible Hulkwhich saw the character transform into the villainous abomination. The film ended with a great showdown between Hulk and Abomination, which culminated in Blonsky’s capture and imprisonment. The villain then went unannounced in the MCU for many years, seemingly forgotten along with several other Phase 1 villains. Just when it seemed that his story was over, however, he reemerged.

Council returned as Blonsky for She-Hulk: LawyerReprising his villain role in the best way possible. She – HulkAbomination was a reformed villain, instead offering support to the show’s hero in an attempt to atone for his past misdeeds.. 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 came back to play a bigger villain role

First Appearance: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

A relatively unknown figure from the comics, Ulysses Klaue made his MCU debut with a minor role in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The arms dealer was approached by Ultron for his stock of stolen vibranium, with the AI ​​antagonist cutting off Klaue’s arm before relieving him of his wares. This initially seemed as if it might be the end of Klaue’s MCU story, but he returned with a significant role a few years later.

Klaue appeared again in 2018 Black Pantherplaying a more significant role as part of Erik Killmonger’s plan to infiltrate and seize control of Wakanda. Klaue’s previous experience in Wakanda made him a valuable asset to Killmonger, although he was just betrayed by his accomplice and killed. Klaue’s MCU return 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 death

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Make his MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy In 2014, Ronan the Accuser was the first major introduction of the Kree franchise. His role as a puppet of Thanos before being corrupted by the Power Stone in betraying the Mad Titan was an important moment in the MCU. like Guardians of the Galaxy Ending with Ronan being consumed by the energy of the Power Stone and killed, it certainly seemed as if his MCU story had come to a close.

2019s Captain Marvel But saw Ronan return. The MCU’s connection between Carol Danvers and the Kree gave the film a chance to include Ronan once more, 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 overwhelmed by Captain Marvel, but is able to return despite his on-screen death Five years before.

3

Killmonger reappeared on the MCU’s ancestral plane

First Appearance: Black Panther (2018)

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

the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverSaw Killmonger make his MCU return. Chadwick Boseman’s tragic and untimely death saw the sequel take on a new perspective, with Shuri taking up her late brother’s mantle in the MCU. During your training, She meets Killmonger on the Ancestral Plane, with the villain making his second appearance in a limited role Like Shuri’s unlikely guide to becoming a hero.

2

Agatha returned to her own MCU show

First Appearance: WandaVision (2021)

Agatha Harkness served as the main villain of WandaVisionAlthough in a manner that kept her true nature hidden from the audience for the majority of the show. The manipulation of Wanda Maximoff’s witch finally saw the two face off, with the former Avenger gaining the upper hand. After taking Agatha’s Darkhold, Wanda stripped her of her magical abilities and her memories, instead forcing her into the role she chose to play during the Westview Hex.

Agatha all along Seeing Agatha recover, shake off the Agnes persona and embark on a journey to reclaim her powers. Although WandaVision Certainly left Agatha’s story open for continuation, it also gave her an ending enough that the character could never have been repaired. even so, Agatha all along Harkness returned to rediscover her abilities In order to regain her former status in the magical community of the MCU.

1

Loki came back from the dead many times

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

When it comes to making sensational MCU returns, no villain can match Loki. While appearing in multiple MCU movies, Loki has died or been presumed dead on several occasions in the franchise. 2011s ThorIts 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark WorldAnd Avengers: Infinity War All saw Loki supposedly meet his end, although each and every opportunity has proven to be surmountable for Asgard’s former god of mischief.

Every time Loki’s story ends, he returns from the dead in one way or another to continue his role in the MCU. His post –End game The atmosphere in the multiverse not only brought him back again, but it also saw the beginning of his journey to become much more heroic, ultimately ending with a heroic sacrifice to save all of reality. As such, Loki is recognized as the villain to have most often returned against the odds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.