via Marvel Studios
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Do you still have a villain problem? It’s been one of the biggest criticisms of Kevin Feige’s conquering franchise since its inception 14 years ago, and it’s an argument that isn’t over yet.
While the long-running superhero series has rectified many of its antagonistic issues, many of the same underlying issues remain, whether it’s reusing the “bad guy is a twisted version of the good guy” trope, or delaying the main reveal to so long that audiences start to lose interest.
The overwhelming popularity of the MCU and the level of investment on behalf of the fandom means these things are always open to scrutiny and nitpicking, with one Reddit thread aiming to determine a definitive ranking of the best and worst big bads of the Phase. Four that reopens a can of worms that is never going to stay closed.
On the one hand, Tony Leung’s Wenwu and Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin were fantastic additions (or re-additions in the case of the latter) to the mythology, with Ethan Hawke proving to be a fantastic foil for Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight. like lewd Arthur Harrow.
Flip the coin the other way, though, and there’s a lot to be desired. Even Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin was criticized for being overpowered, while no one is going to present Ray Winstone’s Dreykov, Erin Kellyman’s Karli Morgenthau or Nimra Bucha’s Najma as particularly memorable threats.
Scarlet Witch’s turn to the dark side in Doctor strange in the multiverse of madnessChristian Bale’s Gorr’s distinct lack of god carnage, and eternalIkaris’ predictable reveal was also criticized, so it’s clear the MCU still lacks consistency when it comes to developing and delivering compelling adversaries.
