WandaVision: Why Mephisto Is MCU Phase 4's Main Villain

How Mephisto Could Dominate MCU Phase 4 AND Phase 5

Mephisto may have historically been overpowered by Thanos in the comics, but that doesn't mean he's not worthy of assuming the Mad Titan's mantle when it comes to the MCU. In many ways he's the ideal candidate, not just in terms of power levels or threat, but because he provides the perfect bridge between two genres the MCU looks set to spotlight over the coming phases.

Mephisto is mainly a supernatural character, yes, but he's also had brushes with cosmic Marvel on plenty of other occasions. With Moon Knight and Blade coming to the MCU in the next few years - the former in a Disney+ TV series featuring Oscar Isaac, and the latter a feature-length film starring Mahershala Ali - the series finally looks set to bring that corner of the comics to the big screen, and Mephisto could be instrumental in that process.

The MCU - much like the source material it's based on - encompasses a great many different genres within its walls. Whether it's political thrillers or sci-fi space operas, Marvel Studios understands that the secret to a long and successful franchise lies in the breadth of stories it's able to tell. Not everyone may be down for another cosmic odyssey involving The Eternals, for instance, but martial arts fans and those interested in horror may be intrigued by Shang-Chi and Blade respectively.

Factor in Mephisto, whose reach stretches from Hell, all the way to Asgard, and back to New York City, and you have the ideal foe to bring all these different properties together under one roof.

To hammer home that point further, one of the greatest Marvel stories of the last three decades (Roger Stern and Mike Mignola's Triumph and Torment) involved Doctor Strange teaming up with Doctor Doom to rescue the latter's mother from Mephisto's clutches.

The Fantastic Four are already on their way to the MCU, and with them Doom is sure to follow, so already you have what could be the perfect third entry for a Doctor Strange film - and the perfect genre-busting crossover - should the series follow the same pattern as previous MCU series.

It's way too early to tell if Mephisto really is involved or not, but it would make A LOT of sense, and could bring all sorts of wonderful opportunities to the MCU across a range of different films.