Although the MCU is considered by some to be an overrated movie franchise, it’s still one of the most successful in cinematic history. There’s an undeniable charm in its adaptations of the stories and characters of Marvel Comics that has helped the MCU retain its place as the biggest franchise in the industry. However, the MCU has a villain habit that’s more than a little unfortunate.
Over the course of its many movies and TV shows, the MCU has introduced many villains. As everyone knows, any good hero needs an appropriate antagonist to rally against, and Marvel’s pantheon isn’t short on characters to adapt. Though the MCU’s track record with adapting such characters to the screen is largely good, there is one element of the franchise’s villains that’s less than ideal.
Despite the fact that many MCU villains are solid antagonists, they’re rarely used in the way they should be. Marvel has often landed major stars to fill the roles of their villains, further improving their standing within the universe and their screen presence in their respective movies. However, the MCU’s treatment of its villainous characters often leaves much to be desired.
The Worst Mcu Villain Habit Is Wasting Great Actors
Andy Serkis, Jeff Bridges, Cate Blanchett, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Michael B. Jordan, Mickey Rourke, Mads Mikkelsen – they cast excellent actors then either kill them off or write them terribly
The MCU has a habit of introducing a villain played by a well-respected and talented actor, only to thoroughly waste their potential. The likes of Jeff Bridges, Cate Blanchett, Michael B. Jordan, Guy Pearce, Mads Mikkelsen, and Mickey Rourke were all cast as MCU villains – a stacked roster of celebrated performers. However, each of their characters were killed off after a single movie.
The MCU also wastes great actors in other ways. Josh Brolin was transformed into Thanos using CGI, hiding the extent of his physical performance and thereby wasting him. Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin was revealed not to be a villain at all, but rather an impostor written for comic relief. All further examples of brilliant actors wasted in roles that did them no justice.
The MCU treating its villains as disposable makes them the polar opposite to its heroes, who are usually protected at all costs. However, with so may great actors having appeared only to be wasted, it raises the question: is that really sustainable for the MCU? Surely not, so either the MCU will need to change its villain habit, or start casting less celebrated actors to play its antagonists.