The Marvel Cinematic Universe, a sprawling tapestry of heroes and villains, is poised to enter its most perilous chapter yet: “Avengers: Doomsday.” Whispers and rumors, fueled by cryptic hints and fervent fan theories, suggest a cataclysmic convergence of threats, a return of the most formidable foes the Avengers have ever faced. As the multiverse trembles and the stakes reach unprecedented heights, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will rise from the ashes of the past to challenge Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?
This article delves into the swirling vortex of speculation, analyzing every major Marvel villain (current and former) potentially returning to the MCU in this apocalyptic showdown.
The Multiversal Menace: Kang the Conqueror and His Variants
Undoubtedly, the most prominent threat looming over “Avengers: Doomsday” is Kang the Conqueror. His presence, already established in “Loki” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” signals a multiversal war of unparalleled scale. Kang’s ability to manipulate time and space, coupled with his vast army of variants, makes him a formidable adversary.
- The Council of Kangs: The sheer number of Kang variants, each with their own agendas and powers, presents a logistical nightmare for the Avengers. From Rama-Tut to Immortus, these temporal conquerors could form a formidable alliance, creating a complex web of threats that the Avengers must unravel.
- Kang’s Motivations: Beyond mere conquest, Kang’s desire to control the multiverse stems from a deep-seated fear of a greater, more devastating threat. This fear could be the catalyst for the villain’s extreme actions, hinting at a larger cosmic entity pulling the strings.
- Possible Kang Returns: The survivor Kangs from Quantumania, and those that have been hinted at from the Loki series, and potentially even new ones, could all play a role.
Echoes of the Past: Resurrected Villains and Alternate Realities
The multiverse’s collapse opens the door for villains from alternate realities and even those previously defeated to return.
- Ultron: The sentient AI, seemingly destroyed in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” could resurface through multiversal variants or a corrupted digital backup. His technological prowess and hatred for humanity make him a terrifying wildcard.
- Thanos: The Mad Titan, the architect of the Blip, remains a haunting figure. While the prime Thanos is vanquished, alternate reality versions, possibly even more powerful, could emerge, seeking to complete his destructive mission.
- Killmonger: Erik Killmonger’s charisma and tactical brilliance, showcased in “Black Panther,” could make him a compelling villain from another reality. His desire for Wakanda’s power, fueled by a desire for racial justice, could create a complex ethical dilemma for the Avengers.
- Hela: The Goddess of Death, banished to Hel in “Thor: Ragnarok,” could exploit the multiversal fractures to escape her confinement. Her immense power and mastery over the dead make her a formidable threat, particularly in a world already teetering on the brink of destruction.
- The High Evolutionary: The genocidal scientist, recently defeated in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” could return with a vengeance. His obsession with creating a “perfect” species could drive him to manipulate the multiversal chaos for his own twisted ends.
The Shadows of Earth: Lingering Threats and New Alliances
Even without the multiverse, Earth harbors its own share of formidable villains, eager to capitalize on the chaos.
- Baron Zemo: The master manipulator, imprisoned after “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” could orchestrate a prison break or form a new alliance to exploit the world’s vulnerability. His strategic mind and ability to sow discord make him a dangerous adversary.
- The Leader: Samuel Sterns, transformed into the Leader in “The Incredible Hulk,” could emerge from the shadows, seeking to harness the power of gamma radiation for his own nefarious purposes. His intellect and connection to the Hulk’s power make him a formidable threat.
- Abomination: Emil Blonsky, also enhanced by gamma radiation, could break free from his confinement, potentially forming an alliance with the Leader. His raw power and unstable nature make him a wild card in the impending conflict.
- Madame Hydra/Viper: With the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., the remnants of Hydra could regroup under a new leader, potentially Madame Hydra or Viper, seeking to seize power in the chaos. Their network of spies and access to advanced weaponry make them a persistent threat.
- Kingpin: Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, could expand his influence, exploiting the world’s instability to consolidate his power. His ruthlessness and vast criminal empire make him a formidable opponent, even for the Avengers.
Cosmic Entities and Eldritch Horrors:
The MCU has begun to introduce cosmic entities, and the multiverse could pull in even more powerful beings.
- Dormammu: The ruler of the Dark Dimension, previously thwarted by Doctor Strange, could exploit the multiversal fractures to invade Earth. His immense power and control over dark energy make him a terrifying opponent.
- The Beyonder: A cosmic entity of immense power, capable of manipulating reality itself, could be drawn to the multiversal chaos. His motives remain shrouded in mystery, but his presence could reshape the very fabric of existence.
- Shuma-Gorath: A powerful extradimensional entity, briefly seen in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” could fully manifest, seeking to consume reality itself. Its immense size and eldritch powers make it a nightmare beyond comprehension.
- The Living Tribunal: This cosmic entity, charged with maintaining the balance of the multiverse, could be forced to intervene, potentially becoming a threat if the multiverse is judged as too broken to save.
- Annihilus: A powerful warlord from the Negative Zone, could exploit the multiversal instability to invade the positive matter universe. His insectoid army and mastery of the Cosmic Control Rod make him a dangerous conqueror.
The Wildcards: Uncertain Alliances and Unforeseen Threats
Beyond the established villains, the multiverse could introduce entirely new threats, or forge unexpected alliances.
- The Serpent Society: A group of super-powered criminals, potentially led by Madame Hydra, could emerge as a new threat, exploiting the chaos for their own gain.
- The Dark Avengers: A team of villains masquerading as heroes, potentially formed by Norman Osborn or another nefarious figure, could exploit public trust to achieve their own sinister goals.
- The Masters of Evil: A classic Avengers villain team, potentially featuring a mix of established and new villains, could unite to challenge Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
- A New Cosmic Threat: The multiverse could introduce a completely new cosmic entity, beyond anything the Avengers have encountered, possessing powers that defy comprehension.
The Convergence: A Battle for the Fate of Reality
“Avengers: Doomsday” promises to be a culmination of the MCU’s narrative threads, a battle for the very soul of the multiverse. The potential return of these formidable villains, each with their own unique motivations and powers, creates a terrifying gauntlet for the Avengers to overcome.
The film’s success will hinge on its ability to weave these disparate threats into a cohesive and compelling narrative, showcasing the true cost of multiversal chaos. The stakes are higher than ever, and the fate of reality hangs in the balance. Only the combined might of the Avengers, and perhaps some unlikely allies, can hope to stand against the gathering storm. The future of the MCU depends on it.