MCU: 5 Best & 5 Worst Villains So Far
4. Ego, The Living Planet
Given how successful the first Guardians of the Galaxy was, Marvel chiefs were under pressure to get the sequel right. The first instalment was a huge hit but, if there was one issue, it was possibly how uninteresting Ronan was a villain. In choosing to tackle the parentage of Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, they could not afford to get it wrong.
And they got it so, so right. Because the second Guardians takes everything good from the first film - the characters, the music, the jokey vibes - and builds on it by throwing a worthy villain into the mix. Ego, The Living Planet, is simply sensational. Played by Kurt Russell, he succeeds in tricking Peter, and the audience, that he means well. But that’s not true.
Russell and Pratt perfectly compliment each other and the fact the two supernatural characters discuss, and fight, over a matter so very human makes it a juxtaposition that works. There is no chance of his return but Russell proved himself worthy of starring in a rock-and roll movie by giving us one of the most captivating, and formidable, villains of the series so far. The twist that he was behind the death of Star Lord's mother was another example of bold and brilliant storytelling.