TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas had many villains unexpectedly return after seemingly being killed or otherwise incapacitated within the franchise. Alongside the franchise’s many heroes, themovies of the MCUhave introduced a wealth of antagonists. Lifted from the pages of Marvel Comics and adapted to the big screen, the MCU has featured a number of noteworthy and nefarious villains, many of whose respective stories tend to reach what appears to be a natural conclusion.
Not all of these apparent endings are actually the villain in question’s last appearance in thetimeline of the MCU, however. Many of the antagonists of the MCU reappear, continuing their story within the franchise, and often in an unexpected manner. Whether they return from the dead or simply make another appearance after their villain arc has seemingly been resolved, here are 12 MCU villains who returned.
12Zemo Returned As An Unlikely MCU Ally
First Appearance: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Although Baron Zemo’s role inCaptain America: Civil Warwas not the main focus of the movie, he was undoubtedly the main antagonist of the 2016 film. His scheme to divide the Avengers by seeding discontent within their ranks came off just as the villain planned, exacting his revenge for the deaths of his family in the Battle of Sokovia during the events ofAge of Ultron:Civil Warended with Zemo being taken into custody, seemingly bringing his MCU story to a close.
However,The Falcon and the Winter Soldiersaw Baron Zemo return, as he was enlisted by Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to assist in stopping the Flag Smashers. The nature of the show’s antagonists meant that Zemo’s own goals aligned with those of the heroes, making the former villain an unlikely – and temporary – ally. Even so,his story was seemingly over afterCivil War, and his return was a somewhat unexpected narrative developmentfor the MCU.
11Red Skull’s Return Saw The Villain Given A New Role
First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
When it comes topowerful MCU villainsthat the franchise seemingly wasted, Red Skull is often listed as one of the most obvious examples. His appearance inCaptain America: The First Avengerset him up to be Steve Rogers’ ultimate nemesis, but his apparent death at the end of the movie put an abrupt end to that potential. Seven years without even a mention of Red Skull made it seem as though his MCU story was truly finished after just one appearance.
The events ofAvengers: Infinity Warsaw many characters return to the fold, including an unexpected appearance from the Red Skull.The villain’s new role as the keeper of the Soul Stone within the MCU saw him play a further part in the franchise’s Infinity Sagawith his return. Furthermore, it also opened the door for the antagonist to reappear in the MCU in a more antagonistic role once more.
10Vulture Made His Return Outside Of The MCU
First Appearance: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Michael Keaton’s MCU debut came inSpider-Man: Homecomingin 2017, where he appeared as Adrian Toomes - better known as the villain the Vulture. After being thwarted by Spider-Man, Toomes is arrested and shown at the end of the movie in prison alongside other villains. As his crimes will have earned him a significant sentence, it appeared as though Toomes’ story was over within the MCU for some time.
Five years later, however, the Vulture returned in an unlikely manner. The Multiversal fallout ofSpider-Man: No Way Homesaw Toomes appear inMorbius’ post-credits scene, teasing a future Sinister Six movie within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.Having the Vulture cross over into another movie universe was an inventive way of freeing him from custody, and it saw the return of an MCU villain that seemed otherwise destined to remain in prison.
9General Thunderbolt Ross Returned To Oppose The MCU’s Heroes
First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk (2008)
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross first appeared in the MCU in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, which saw him pursuing Bruce Banner across the world in an attempt to capture him. Considering Ross has long been a major player within the world of Marvel Comics, his role in the franchise seemed short-lived, as he all but disappeared alongside the rest ofThe Incredible Hulk’s supporting characters. However, Ross did return on multiple occasions.
Ross first returned in an attempt to exert governmental control over the Avengers inCaptain America: Civil Warin 2016, marking his second appearance in the MCU after an eight-year hiatus. He then reappeared in 2021’sBlack Widow, albeit in a supporting capacity. The death of actor William Hurt cast Ross’s continued MCU role into doubt, buthe is set to return – with the role recast and played by Harrison Ford– as part of thecast ofCaptain America: Brave New World.
8Yellowjacket Returned As A Whole New Villain
First Appearance: Ant-Man (2015)
Corey Stoll’s Darren Cross made his MCU debut in 2015’sAnt-Man, serving as the movie’s main antagonist. The film saw Cross recreate Hank Pym’s formula for Pym Particles, building a suit of his own and dubbing himself the Yellowjacket. Cross’s plans to sell his formula to the highest bidder – namely, the organizations such as Hydra and the Ten Rings – saw him opposed by Scott Lang and Hank Pym. The movie’s ending saw the villain lost to the Quantum Realm, a fate that was supposedly as final as death.
Darren Cross made his unexpected MCU return as part ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s cast, albeit as an entirely different villain. Scott Lang and the Ant-Family’s journey into the Quantum Realm saw them once again encounter Cross, who had been transformed into the villain MODOK by the quantum malfunction of his Yellowjacket suit. In doing so,Darren Cross became one of a select number of MCU villains to assume the mantle of multiple villains with his franchise return.
7Trevor Slattery & The Mandarin Returned Separately
First Appearance: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Iron Man 3proved massively controversial in its handling of the Mandarin, as the film revealed that the MCU’s iteration of the villain was simply a fabrication using an actor named Trevor Slattery by Aldrich Killian. The reveal was as unpopular as it was subversive, seemingly robbing the MCU of one of Iron Man’s most iconic foes from the comics. However,Iron Man 3’s Mandarin actually returned in more ways than one.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringssaw the introduction of the real Mandarin, Xu Wenwu, as a true MCU villain. It also saw the return of Trevor Slattery, who had been imprisoned by Wenwu for making use of his persona. This came after the Mandarin’s brief return in the All Hail the King one shot, establishing the villain’s full return within the MCU on multiple fronts.
6Abomination’s Return Improved The Villain Significantly
Tim Roth was cast as Emil Blonsky for 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, which saw the character transform into the villain Abomination. The film ended with a large-scale showdown between Hulk and Abomination, culminating in Blonsky’s capture and imprisonment. The villain then went unacknowledged within the MCU for many years, seemingly forgotten alongside several other Phase 1 villains. Just when it seemed his story was over, however, he reemerged.
Roth returned as Blonsky forShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, reprising his villain role in the best way possible.She-Hulk’s Abomination was a reformed villain, instead offering support to the show’s hero in an attempt to redeem himself for his past misdeeds. Having Blonsky return after a 14-year absence to redeem himself in the eyes of the MCU was an incredibly satisfying development for one of the franchise’s seemingly forgotten villains.
5Klaue Came Back To Play A Bigger Villain Role
First Appearance: Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
A relatively unknown figure from the comics, Ulysses Klaue made his MCU debut with a minor role inAvengers: Age of Ultron. The arms dealer was approached by Ultron for his stock of stolen vibranium, with the AI antagonist cutting off Klaue’s arm before relieving him of his wares. This initially seemed as though it might be the end of Klaue’s MCU story, but he made his return with a significant role a few years later.
Klaue reappeared in 2018’sBlack Panther, playing a more significant role as a part of Erik Killmonger’s plan to infiltrate and seize control of Wakanda. Klaue’s prior experience entering Wakanda made him a valuable asset to Killmonger, although he was promptly betrayed by his accomplice and killed.Klaue’s MCU return may have been short-lived, but he was able to play a larger role in his second outingin the franchise.
4Ronan The Accuser Returned After Death
First Appearance: Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Making his MCU debut inGuardians of the Galaxyin 2014, Ronan the Accuser was the franchise’s first major introduction of the Kree. His role as a puppet of Thanos before being corrupted by the Power Stone into betraying the Mad Titan marked an important moment in the MCU. AsGuardians of the Galaxyended with Ronan being consumed by the energy of Power Stone and killed, it certainly seemed as though his MCU story had come to a close.
2019’sCaptain Marvelsaw Ronan return, however. The MCU’s connection between Carol Danvers and the Kree afforded the film an opportunity to include Ronan once more, as it was set roughly two decades before the events ofGuardians of the Galaxy.Ronan only makes a brief appearance in which he’s easily overwhelmed by Captain Marvel, but he was able to return despite his on-screen deathfive years prior.
3Killmonger Reappeared On The MCU’s Ancestral Plane
First Appearance: Black Panther (2018)
Often cited as one of the most complex and morally captivating villains in MCU history, Michael B. Jordan first appeared as Erik Killmonger in 2018’sBlack Panther. The villain emerged with the goal to establish himself as the ruler of Wakanda in order to share its power with the world, overthrowing the film’s hero in the process. The movie ended with Killmonger’s death after a battle with T’Challa, giving him a story seemingly contained within a single movie.
The sequel,Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, saw Killmonger make his MCU return. The tragic and untimely death of Chadwick Boseman saw the sequel take on a new perspective, with Shuri assuming her late brother’s mantle within the MCU. During her transformation,she meets Killmonger in the Ancestral Plane, with the villain making his second appearance in a limited roleas Shuri’s unlikely guide to becoming a hero.
