Every Star Trek Movie Villain Ranked From Worst To Best

Admiral Marcus appeared in Star Trek Into Darkness as the head of Starfleet security. He is responsible for unleashing John Harrison, aka Benedict CumberKhan, on the Kelvin Enterprise, though his plans went much further than that. In the long-term, Marcus sought to start a war between the Klingons and the Federation, preemptively striking before the Empire could attack Earth.

Somewhere in his heart there was a noble inspiration, yet that is lost under his war mongering and dedication to lead the charge. The USS Vengeance is constructed in secret, tasked with being the first in a new warfleet. It easily overpowers the much smaller Constitution class Enterprise and is only defeated thanks to a stowaway in the form of Scotty.

Had Marcus been successful, a dreadful war would have engulfed the Federation, all in the name of a lasting peace. Marcus's greatest weapon, Khan, crushes the man's head between his palms as payment for betrayal. Marcus's actions led to the death of Kirk (for about a minute), the almost destruction of the Enterprise and the devastation of San Francisco, when Khan plows the Vengeance into the city.

He may have hoped to start a war to prevent loss of life, but he brought only sadness to Earth. Well played, Marcus.