10 Most Evil Characters In MCU History
Does it get more evil than murdering your own children?
Over the 29 movies and multiple TV series that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, there have been countless antagonists introduced. The perceived villain problem is well known within the MCU, but there is a wide range of big bads to be seen.
The key is that not all of them are evil. Some want to inspire change across the world, keep food on their family’s table, or even save the universe in their own misguided way. Yes, even Thanos isn’t evil. There was a genuine reason behind his actions, and there was never malice to it, he wanted to correct the universe.
Other villains however, were incredibly evil, with no motivation other than their own self-interests and happy to kill people to get what they want. Some were just vile and cruel in their general lives, without it even becoming the base of some master plan to get rich or rule the universe.
For many MCU villains, there can be at least a modicum of reason found, some redeeming factor that an audience can at least understand or relate to, no matter how small. These ten characters however, have nothing in their bones but evil.
10. Obadiah Stane
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first-ever villain may not be the biggest antagonist ever - he didn’t collect Infinity Stones, have plans to overthrow the universe, or rule another dimension entirely - but he was certainly one of the most evil there has been so far.
Stane eventually turned to villainy on the back of jealousy and greed. After running Stark Industries for so long he didn’t exactly relish Tony coming in and taking control, which doesn’t exactly make for a unique story. 'A powerful rich man wants more money and power' has been done to death.
What puts Stane into uncharted territory is his relationship with Tony Stark. Take Darren Cross, he was willing to kill people to make sure he achieved his goals, but Obadiah Stane went out of his way to see that Tony Stark was killed.
This was the son of his best friend, and the kid he had essentially been the only male role model for since the passing of Howard Stark. And yet, his death was seen by Stane not just as collateral damage, but as an absolute necessity. He had no remorse when he ordered the Ten Rings to kill Tony, and that was even before he became Iron Man.