10 Ways The MCU Was Almost Unrecognizable
6. Red Skull In The Avengers
One of Marvel Comics' most iconic villains is -- and always has been -- Red Skull. Ironically, he is one of the most disappointing in the MCU.
Now, let's be clear: HE WAS NOT A BAD VILLAIN. Not in the slightest. On the contrary, he was quite a good villain. It's just a shame that he only appeared in one movie as the villain. Sure, he was in Infinity War and Endgame, but he wasn't the villain. He was more of an obstacle in those. It's like only using Dr. Doom or Green Goblin for one movie. He's so iconic, and he deserves more of an opportunity to act as a true villain.
Had Marvel gone with their original plans in The Avengers, he would have gotten such an opportunity. Marvel originally considered having him pop up in the film alongside Loki, coming down through the portal during the Battle of New York.
Would they have killed him off? Or would they have set him up as a long-form villain, like Loki and Thanos? Had they kept Red Skull around, would Captain America's second and third movies -- and, therefore, his entire MCU character arc -- have been the same?