10 MCU Heroes Who Started Out As Villains

3. Natasha Romanoff

Thor: Ragnarok Valkyrie
Marvel Studios

When Natasha Romanoff was introduced to the MCU as Natalie Rushman in Iron Man 2, it was quickly revealed that she was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent working for Nick Fury. Nothing particularly villainous about that; deceptive as a certainty, but not villainous.

However, since then, her past has been delved into and explored to the point that every MCU fan knows about Natasha’s life before she defected over to S.H.I.E.L.D. There can be absolutely no question that before he was a hero, she was a villain.

After being forced through the rigorous and horrifying Red Room programme, Natasha graduated to the KGB where she amounted the famous red in her ledger. If not for the compassion of Clint Barton, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have had her killed. Instead, she was given the chance to switch sides, and begin on the path that would lead to her new family.

Not only was Natasha a founding member of the Avengers, she led the team during the five-year Blip, and sacrificed her own life for the chance to set the world to rights. It can be said without hyperbole, that Natasha was one of the greatest heroes the MCU has ever seen.

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This standard nerd combines the looks of Shaggy with the brains of Scooby, has an unhealthy obsession with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a firm believer that Alter Bridge are the greatest band in the world.