Every Major MCU Villain Coming in 2025

THE UCMPhases 5 and 6 will introduce several new Marvel villains and bring some established antagonists back in 2025. Due to decreased production at Marvel Studios, Deadpool and Wolverine It stood alone as the only MCU film released in 2024. Fortunately for the MCU, Deadpool and Wolverine became a huge box office success and was accompanied by four equally popular Disney+ shows: Echo, X-Men '97, Agatha all the timeand And if…? season 3. While Marvel won't reach the same output as previous years anytime soon, 2025 will see the release of more MCU projects, both on the big and small screen.

In 2025, Marvel Studios' Upcoming MCU Projects Include Theatrical Films Captain America: Brave New World, Rays*and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as well as Disney+ animated shows Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Daredevil: Born Again, Iron Heart, Eyes of Wakandaand Marvel Zombiesin addition to the live-action series Wonder Man. Phases 5 and 6 will introduce some new heroes in 2025, such as Wonder Manby Simon Williams, Your friendly neighborhoodNico Minoru and, of course, the MCU Fantastic Four team. However, 2025 will see the introduction and return of a greater number of MCU villains.

10

President Ross aka Red Hulk

Harrison Ford's President Ross Will Transform into Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World

Thaddeus Ross was one of the MCU's first antagonists, introduced in Phase 1 The Incredible Hulk as the mastermind behind Emil Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination. After trying to implement the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War and pursued Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross is expected to return in Captain America: Brave New World. As President of the United States, Ross makes peace with Captain America, but things take a dark turn when Ross transforms into the powerful Red Hulk.

In the source material, Thaddeus Ross joins forces with The Leader and MODOK to absorb Bruce Banner's Gamma energy and inject it into his own body, gaining the ability to transform into the Red Hulk. However, the MCU's Red Hulk appears to have a different origin. Instead of seeking the power of the original Hulk, Harrison Ford's President Ross can transform into the Red Hulk unwittingly after the Leader apparently injects him with gamma radiation and turns him into his pawn.

9

Samuel Sterns, aka the leader

Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns Returns in Leader Form in Captain America: Brave New World

Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns also made his MCU debut in Phase 1 The Incredible Hulkwhere he helped Bruce Banner find a (temporary) way to get rid of his alter ego Hulk before the Abomination threw him into a set of vials of Bruce Banner's blood. The Incredible Hulk suggested that Samuel Sterns acquired enhanced abilities from Banner's blood, but Sterns remained completely absent from the MCU for over sixteen years. Now, Samuel Sterns returns in Captain America: Brave New World like a shadowy figure who may be the villain responsible for President Ross' transformation into the Red Hulk in the Phase 5 film.

While Samuel Sterns' head injury and blood contamination may have been what turned him into the Leader of the MCU, Sterns' origin story in the comics sees him being doused with radioactive material in an accidental explosion at a research facility. The gamma radiation in this waste material corrupted his desire for knowledge and transformed him into an ultra-intelligent gamma mutant. As with his MCU counterpart, the Leader's first villainous plans involve stealing classified information and destabilizing governments, among other ambitious and top-secret goals.

8

Seth Voelker aka Sidewinder

Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder appears as a secondary antagonist in Captain America: Brave New World

Giancarlo Esposito's cast in Captain America: Brave New World initially generated a lot of fan speculation, with theories positing characters like Moon Knight's arch-nemesis Bushman and the X-Men's mutant-hating villain Henry Gyrich. However, Marvel Studios has finally confirmed that Giancarlo Esposito will play Serpent Society mercenary Sidewinder in Captain America: Brave New World. According to the Captain America: Brave New World trailers, Esposit's Sidewinder will be a terrorist that Captain America will have to stoppresumably under orders from President Ross, before facing Red Hulk and the Leader.

In the comics, Seth Voelker is a talented economist who takes a liking to illegal activities when he starts working for Roxxon, gaining a cape that allows him to teleport and adopting the name “Sidewinder.” Sidewinder then teams up with other snake-themed villains to form the Serpent Squad – a criminal group that soon morphs into a more serious coalition called the Serpent Society. Although Sidewinder is the most powerful member of the Serpent Society, he is also the first to abandon his life of crime, although Sidewinder's change of heart is short-lived.

7

Muse

Hunter Doohan's muse will be Matt Murdock's next main villain in Daredevil: Born Again

Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock makes his third MCU appearance in Daredevil: Born Again after its appearance in She-Hulk: Lawyer and his brief cameo in Spider-Man. No way home. But while Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk also returns as Matt's archenemy following his MCU appearance in Hawkeye and EchoKingpin doesn't appear to be Matt Murdock's main antagonist in Daredevil's first MCU solo series. Instead of, street artist Muse will be the next big threat to Hell's Kitchen in Daredevil: Born Again.

Muse is a relatively recent addition to Marvel Comics lore, having made her comic book debut in 2016. In the source material, Muse is a serial killer who creates art installations made from the bodies of her victims. Daredevil begins tracking him when the hero Blindspot and some Inhumans fall victim to Muse's attacks, and New York Mayor Wilson Fisk takes advantage of Muse's seemingly random murders to turn the public against the vigilantes. Daredevil: Born Again appears to be adapting this storyline closely, but with White Tiger replacing Blindspot.

6

Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin

Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin Will Play a Major Role in Daredevil: Born Again

Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk was Matt Murdock's archenemy in all three Netflix seasons Reckless series, which Marvel Studios incorporated into the MCU. Daredevil thwarted Kingpin's plans to accumulate power several times, but Kingpin also made Daredevil's life a living hell for years. In Reckless In the final battle of Season 3, Daredevil and Kingpin agree to respect each other's private lives and avoid hurting each other's loved ones. However, Kingpin continues to do shady dealings in Hawkeye and Echoand EchoThe post-credits scene suggests that Kingpin will run for mayor in Reckless: Born again.

In the comics, Wilson Fisk runs for mayor of New York to ban vigilantism. Fisk pursues heroes like Spider-Man, Luke Cage and, of course, Daredevil. However, Matt Murdock overthrows Fisk and discovers his illegal methods, allowing Luke Cage to replace Wilson Fisk as mayor of New York. As always, Wilson Fisk manages to escape legal repercussions and retreats to the island of Krakoa. Wilson Fisk's rise to power can be divided into several MCU projects, including Daredevil: Born Again and Spider-Man 4.

5

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra De Fontaine will assemble her own anti-hero team in Thunderbolts*

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine appeared as a government agent in Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwhere he confessed his desire to obtain a weapon as powerful as vibranium. To do this, Val recruited his own team, starting with Yelena Belova in Black Widowpost-credits scene. Unlike Nick Fury, Val does not intend to use his team of superheroes to defend Earth. Instead of, Val manipulates the Thunderbolts into doing the dirty work she demands to acquire wealth and influence in 2025. Rays*.

In the comics, Countess Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a lifelong agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a close ally of Nick Fury. Val fought against Hydra and worked for the secret organization Leviathan while fulfilling her duties at S.H.I.E.L.D. Although the Thunderbolts have gone through several iterations and leaders in the comics, Val has never been a part of the team. Val's MCU Thunderbolts are drastically different from their comic book counterparts, which were originally assembled by Baron Zemo.

4

Robert Reynolds aka Sentry

Lewis Pullman's Robert Reynolds will reveal his Sentinel transformation in Thunderbolts*

Phase 5 will introduce one of the most powerful characters in the entire MCU, Lewis Pullman's Bob aka Sentry, who has a mysterious role in Rays*. THE Rays* The trailers only show Pullman's “Bob” as a normal human, but it's safe to say he'll eventually transform into his nearly invincible Sentinel form. Considering how Valentina Allegra de Fontaine assembles her team of anti-heroes against their will, It is possible that some Rays* the titular antiheroes will die trying to contain the Sentry.

In the comics, Robert Reynolds breaks into a research laboratory and experiments with the Golden Sentry Serum – a compound that attempts to recreate and improve the Super Soldier serum that transformed the physically weak Steve Rogers into the ultimate human Captain America. Instead of developing a Super Soldier physique, Robert Reynolds develops a superhuman alter ego called the Sentry, who possesses a long list of superpowers such as super strength, flight, energy manipulation, and immortality through resurrection. Bob Reynolds also generates a second alter ego called Void, who can destroy the entire world if left unchecked.

3

Parker Robbins aka The Hood

The Hood, by Anthony Ramos, will be the magical villain of Ironheart

After proving her worth as a heroine in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams will star in her own solo adventure for the first time in 2025 Iron Heartwhere the titular technology-based hero will face the magical supervillain The Hood. According to the Iron Heart teaser, Riri Williams will steal parts for her new Ironheart armor, which will get her kicked out of MIT. Since Parker Robbins steals his powerful cowl from a demon in the comics, this could be how Riri and Parker will cross paths in the MCU.

In the comics, The Hood serves Dormammu, who created the hood and boots that grant Parker Robbins his magical powers. While Dormammu has already attempted to invade Earth-616 through mortal servants like Kaecilius, Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins may not work for the lord of the Dark Dimension. Instead, Hood is rumored to serve Mephisto, who has been heavily theorized to make his MCU debut since Phase 4. WandaVision. The potential introduction of Mephisto into Iron Heart it also ties in with The Hood's recent transformation into Ghost Rider in the comics.

2

Alternate Universe Marvel Zombies

An entire universe full of the undead will star in the MCU's Marvel Zombies series

And if…? Season 1 Episode 5 introduced a timeline where Janet van Dyne brings a virus from the Quantum Realm to her Earth. In this universe, some of the survivors eliminate zombified heroes like Iron Man, Captain America and Scarlet Witch, but some of them die in the process, including Hope van Dyne, Vision and the Hulk. Regardless, they acquire the Mind Stone and head to Wakanda to use the gem's power to heal the world. Unfortunately for them, an infected Thanos is waiting for them there, wielding all five other Infinity Stones. Marvel Zombies will continue the story left unfinished in And if…? episode 5.

In Marvel comics' Marvel Zombies comics, a variant of the Sentry infected by “Hunger” lands on Earth and begins spreading the virus by attacking superhumans. Despite the efforts of Earth's heroes and villains, the virus spreads across the world. The entire population of Earth-2149 succumbs to the Hunger, and some of its zombies even manage to travel to other realities and try to spread the virus in a multiversal way. In the MCU, Marvel Zombies'The quantum virus is on its way to cover the entire world. If the heroes are unable to contain it, the virus could theoretically spread to other timelines if Avengers: Judgment Day or Avengers: Secret Wars break the boundaries between universes.

1

Spider-Man Rogue Gallery

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Will Feature an All-New Version of Spider-Man's Enemies

The animated series Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man originally appeared to be a prequel to Spider-Man's main MCU story, but Marvel later confirmed that it would take place in an entirely new universe. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man follows a young Peter Parker who finds a mentor in Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will feature several villains, including Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Scorpion, Chameleon, Rhino and Speed ​​Demon.

Since all Spidey-related characters are available to Marvel when it comes to animation, Your friendly neighborhood Spider-ManPeter Parker will be able to fight all comic book villains without the need for the multiverse. The 2025 UCM The Disney+ animated series will also spend more time building Spider-Man's relationships with other heroes, such as Doctor Strange, Daredevil and Iron Man himself – all of whom are too busy starring in their own stories to spend a significant amount of time with Tom Holland. Spider-Man.

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  February 14, 2025
  

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  July 25, 2025
  

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  July 24, 2026
  

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