5 MCU Villains Fans Still Hate

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In their epic battle against Thanos, it became evident that the Avengers were about to engage in the toughest struggle they’d ever encountered. Regrettably, they suffered defeat, numerous casualties among their ranks, and the heartbreaking loss of half the world. Thanos proved himself a villain worthy of his legendary reputation.

Over time, certain Marvel Cinematic Universe antagonists haven’t quite lived up to fan expectations. Some talented actors were put in these roles, only to be given limited screen time or underdeveloped storylines. In other cases, the actors weren’t necessarily the issue; it was that the villains appeared less threatening compared to their comic book counterparts and didn’t inflict as much damage as fans had hoped, leading to disappointment among viewers. Here are some MCU villains that fans feel had great potential but ultimately fell short of their expectations.

5 MCU Villains With the Most Wasted Potential

Gorr – Thor: Love and Thunder

Ever since the release of “Thor: Love and Thunder” in 2022, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiasts just can’t shake off their disappointment with it. Christian Bale is undeniably one of the finest actors in Hollywood, and his character Gorr from Marvel Comics was truly fearsome. However, Gorr’s character development seems to have been overlooked, and the film focused more on humor than portraying the terrifying, god-slaying villain that fans were expecting.

Many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans believe that the humorous approach seen in “Thor: Love and Thunder” can be traced back to director and screenwriter Taika Waititi’s comedic flair. This suggests that his background as a comedian and actor influenced the film’s final version. Known for offbeat comedies such as “Jojo Rabbit”, Waititi’s style might not have aligned with the required seriousness that fans thought “Love and Thunder” should have possessed.

Taskmaster – Black Widow/Thunderbolts*

Many fans eagerly awaited the 2021 film “Black Widow,” even more so following repeated postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The depiction of Taskmaster’s renowned mimicry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was particularly enticing, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations and failed to fully deliver on that promise.

In a change that many fans would have accepted, Tony Masters (Taskmaster) was transformed into a female character. However, what left fans feeling let down was not this transformation but rather the scarcity of screen time. There were hardly any fresh or impactful scenes featuring Taskmaster, which left viewers puzzled and unsatisfied. The absence of a substantial confrontation diminished the character’s impact, and the highly anticipated face-off with Natasha seemed overly dramatic to some.

In addition to the problem at hand, there appears to be little chance for a cinematic comeback, given that it seems as though Ghost may have permanently written off Taskmaster in Thunderbolts.

Malekith – Thor: The Dark World

2013’s “Thor: The Dark World” showcased the Marvel Comics villain Malekith the Accursed, who ruled over the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim, played by actor Christopher Eccleston. Unfortunately, this portrayal of Malekith didn’t sit well with many fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as it deviated significantly from the character’s comic book persona and the image that fans had envisioned for Malekith.

In a different take compared to his portrayal in “The Dark World,” Malekith is often seen as lively and humorous rather than gloomy and dull. Many fans speculate that Taika Waititi, who went on to work on “Thor: Love and Thunder,” could have been an excellent fit for embodying the mighty Dark Elf. Waititi’s distinctive comedic flair and style may have resulted in a more captivating portrayal of Malekith.

Ultron – Avengers: Age of Ultron

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at James Spader’s acting prowess, as vividly demonstrated in his roles on Boston Legal and The Blacklist, where he played the Concierge of Crime. This talent carries over to his voice role in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but sadly, for an AI with such intelligence, the character of Ultron felt somewhat underdeveloped, as he was primarily cast as a one-time antagonist.

In addition to Ultron only making a single appearance, James Spader’s exceptional acting skills position him as a compelling choice for a future role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Instead of just providing voiceovers, there’s potential for Spader to take on a live-action part that would bring one of Marvel’s most intriguing comic book characters, such as Senator Kelly or Bolivar Trask, to the screen.

Enthusiasts can look forward to James Spader’s Ultron reappearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year. Although specific details regarding his character are yet undisclosed, especially concerning his role within the Vision-centric series, there have been whispers suggesting that Spader may be portraying a malevolent humanoid robot in the upcoming show.

Dormammu – Doctor Strange

2016’s “Doctor Strange” film left viewers with an indelible scene: “‘Dormammu, I challenge you to a game,’” demonstrated Dr. Strange’s remarkable determination and readiness to sacrifice himself, causing Dormammu, for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to retreat out of exasperation.

In a different phrasing: Placing Dormammu within a time loop at the end seemed less than satisfying for the overall experience, as this powerful cosmic menace was diminished into a temporary adversary that didn’t fully showcase his potential. Many viewers felt that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness represented a chance to revive him and do justice to the character, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations.

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2025-07-08 21:34