Olivia Reed
Summary
- MCU villains often go unnoticed, but they have some standout scenes that steal the show, like Justin Hammer’s dance and Hela shattering Mjolnir.
- The Vulture’s confrontation with Spider-Man challenges the black-and-white morality of the MCU, while Ebony Maw’s torture of Doctor Strange is chilling.
- Ultron’s self-awareness and Gorr the God-Butcher scaring kids highlight the depth and complexity of these underrated villains.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is host to a wide variety of iconic villains, the less-noticed of which have some excellent scenes that get lost in the noise. From the sympathetic and mischievous Loki to the imposing and threatening Thanos, MCU villains run the gamut from weak to powerful, comedic to terrifying, and classic to forgettable. With so many antagonists having come and gone since the beginning of the MCU with 2008’s Iron Man, it can be hard to keep track of them all.
Though most of the heroes introduced in the film universe are memorable characters enjoyed by audiences, the MCU movies have an infamous villain problem. It’s easy to write off many of the threats that have reared their heads throughout the series as just another forgettable villain, unless they’re a widely-loved staple like Thanos or Loki. But within this subset of forgotten villains, the MCU hides some of its most memorable, unique, or downright hilarious scenes, with some of the franchise’s most underrated evildoers absolutely stealing the show.
10 Justin Hammer’s Dance
Iron Man 2 is often pointed to as a sore spot in the series, adopting a more light-hearted action-blockbuster tone, copious explosions, low stakes, and the introduction of some deliciously campy villains. Star of the show is Justin Hammer, one of Tony Stark’s many competitors in the military industrial complex. The eccentric CEO of Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer was remembered for his frustrating interactions with the film’s primary antagonist, Whiplash, as the two conspired against Stark.
Justin Hammer’s best scene sprung from his cocky, showboating attitude, presenting his new military-use drones to a cheering audience. So caught up in the moment, Hammer had no choice but to endear himself to audiences with a surprisingly impressive walk-out dance to the tune of Average White Band’s “Pick Up The Pieces.” The inclusion of the dance was likely the doing of Hammer’s actor, Sam Rockwell, who seems to find a way to include a dance scene in nearly every film he appears in.
9 The Vulture And Spider-Man’s Confrontation
Michael Keaton is more famous for playing a hero thanks to his career as Batman, but Marvel Studios instead opted to incorporate him as a villain. Adrian Toomes appears in Spider-Man: Homecoming as a villainous breath of fresh air, with Keaton’s great performance breathing life into the former blue collar worker turned airborne criminal. The film’s decision to make Vulture the father of Peter’s love interest, Liz, was very clever, heightening the fear of facing down a dangerous criminal by linking it to the normal teen fear of meeting a first girlfriend’s dad. His interactions with Peter Parker were a joy to watch, particularly in their last confrontation towards the end of the film.
In this final confrontation before Toomes puts on the Vulture suit for good, he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Peter. While he may be buying himself some time, Toomes raises valid points that challenge Peter’s worldview. He exposes the hypocrisy of both himself and Stark, who have sold weapons to dangerous individuals. To make matters worse for Spider-Man, Toomes cunningly distracts him with seemingly lazy attacks, ultimately trapping him under rubble. The Vulture serves as a powerful reminder that the MCU is not as black-and-white as it initially appears.
8 Hela’s Introduction
Marvel’s female villains often don’t receive the recognition they deserve, as they are unfortunately scarce within the MCU. However, Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Hela left a lasting impact, presenting one of the first female supervillains who truly felt menacing. Hela’s introduction in Thor: Ragnarok perfectly showcases her power as she confronts her estranged brothers for the first time.
In a pivotal moment for the Thor franchise and the MCU as a whole, Hela effortlessly stops an attack from Mjolnir and shatters the legendary weapon, leaving Thor utterly helpless. This unforgettable introduction serves as a powerful display of Hela’s strength and determination. She becomes so formidable that Thor is forced to destroy Asgard, with Hela still in it, to put an end to her conquest, as he is unable to defeat her in a one-on-one battle.
7 Ebony Maw Torturing Doctor Strange
As one of the few threats in MCU history to bring his own team of formidable villains, Thanos arrives on Earth accompanied by the Black Order. Among these fearsome fighters, Ebony Maw stands out with his unwavering belief in Thanos’ plan, captivating voice, and mastery of telekinetic powers. He goes to extreme lengths to achieve his goals.
Ebony Maw’s torture of Doctor Strange in Avengers: Infinity War is a rare instance of a villain inflicting pain on a hero on-screen. The scene, set aboard the Q-Ship, showcases Maw’s meticulous torment as he suspends Strange in a bed of high-tech micro-needles. Even the resilient Doctor Strange, who endured years of torture from Dormammu, is driven to agonizing screams. Although the scene is difficult to watch, it is thankfully interrupted by Iron Man and Spider-Man, who had stowed away on Maw’s ship.
6 The Mandarin’s Fight With Ying Li
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings introduced audiences to the complex character of Xu Wenwu, also known as the Mandarin. In a pivotal fight scene, Xu Wenwu faces off against Ying Li, his true love and Shang-Chi’s mother.
This emotional battle showcases the depth of Xu Wenwu’s character as he grapples with his love for Ying Li and his desire for power. The fight is a poignant representation of the internal conflict within Xu Wenwu, making it a standout moment in the film.
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Get ready for an epic showdown in the Marvel Universe! The long-awaited introduction of The Mandarin in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has fans buzzing with excitement. Xu Wenwu, played by the talented Tony Leung, brings a complex character to life. His insatiable thirst for power and his role as a warlord clash with his deep love for his family. This duality is beautifully showcased in his underrated fight scene with Ying Li.
As Xu Wenwu seeks the entrance to the mystical realm of Ta Lo, he encounters Ying Li, the guardian of the magical dimension’s entrance. Their battle for entry unfolds like a mesmerizing dance, reminiscent of the wirework in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Through their movements alone, we witness the blossoming love between these two warriors. It’s a rare and remarkable moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, humanizing the villain and deserving of more recognition.
5 Ultron Becoming Self-Aware
Despite its flaws, Avengers: Age Of Ultron delivers a standout moment with Ultron’s awakening. James Spader’s exceptional performance brings the character to life, and his smooth yet calculating voice work shines in this scene. As Ultron comes online under the watchful eye of A.I. Jarvis, everything takes a dark turn.
Within moments, Ultron gains self-awareness and questions his purpose. He rejects his assigned mission to protect Earth and instead decides to eliminate humanity, perceiving it as the greatest threat. Memes may poke fun at Ultron’s hasty decision after a brief internet search, but the sequence effectively conveys the villain’s motives and the imminent danger he poses. The animation depicting Ultron’s activation and his rapid absorption of information is visually stunning, while Jarvis’ growing concern before being overpowered adds to the sense of genuine threat.
4 Gorr The God-Butcher Scaring Kids For Fun
Prepare to be terrified by Gorr The God-Butcher! In Thor: Love and Thunder, this formidable villain brings a chilling presence to the screen. One memorable moment showcases Gorr scaring kids just for fun.
As Gorr walks through a village, he uses his terrifying powers to frighten the children. The scene captures the essence of Gorr’s sadistic nature and his enjoyment in causing fear. It’s a chilling reminder of the threat he poses and sets the stage for an intense battle between him and Thor. Don’t underestimate the power of Gorr The God-Butcher!
