Three years back, the Marvel Cinematic Universe unleashed its most chilling antagonist since Thanos—and in my view, he absolutely needs to keep that terrifying edge intact!
Picture this: Every baddie in the MCU is striving to match the scale of Thanos, the Mad Titan himself. His saga kicks off on shaky ground, dispatching minions to handle the heavy lifting, only for that plan to backfire spectacularly. But when he finally dons the Infinity Gauntlet—wait, quick sidebar for those new to the Marvel world: the Infinity Stones are six powerful cosmic artifacts that control aspects like time, space, and reality—Thanos leaps into action without a hitch. He obliterates the planet Xandar and slaughters the surviving Asgardians from Ragnarok. With two Stones secured, the bulk of Avengers: Infinity War sees him achieving his twisted objective, eradicating half of all life across the universe, all while claiming it's an act of compassion. After all, he's 'saving' those he annihilates from a future rife with agony and hardship.
Thanos's grand plan is straightforward enough to grasp, but that clarity doesn't soften his brutality one bit. In fact, his true malevolence shines through when his alternate self hops from 2014 into the future, only to clash with a universe resisting its doom. That defiance seals his fate, sending the Mad Titan to a permanent end—exactly as it should be, given the irreversible horror of his deeds. But here's where it gets controversial: What if a villain's 'merciful' genocide could be seen as a pragmatic solution to overpopulation? Ponder that before we dive deeper.
Sadly, Thanos's heir apparent is charting a very different path, one that risks diluting their menace if Marvel Studios doesn't tread carefully.
The MCU's Top Villain of Phase Four: A Fierce Rival to Thanos
With Thanos vanquished, the universe scrambles to heal its wounds, but gaping voids remain. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier delves into the upheaval of folks returning after five years of being reduced to cosmic dust, highlighting issues of displacement and reintegration. Hawkeye and WandaVision illustrate the profound psychological toll of lost time and altered realities. And don't miss 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which takes a more overt stance: The U.S. government recruits a brilliant young inventor, Riri Williams (aka Ironheart), to hunt for vibranium beyond Wakanda's borders, ostensibly to bolster global security. This underwater excavation irks a hidden realm called Talokan, a society yearning for solitude, prompting them to lash out at surface-world inhabitants.
Desperate for support, Talokan's formidable leader, Namor, approaches Wakanda's Queen Ramonda and Princess Shuri, hoping for empathy in their shared struggles. Yet, much like the Mad Titan, Namor encounters defiance and opts for aggression, waging war on all who dwell above the waves. Talokan's assault on Wakanda devastates the nation, claiming Ramonda's life in the chaos. Namor shows zero regret, coldly urging Shuri to mourn her fallen and brace for more conflict. Villains this menacing are rare treasures in the MCU, so you'd assume Marvel would invest heavily in amplifying Namor's dark side. But the studio seems poised for a misstep.
The Risk of Namor Shedding His Villainy
In the climax of Wakanda Forever, Namor doesn't bring his full menace to bear. Shuri outsmarts him with her cutting-edge gadgets, compelling him to surrender and retreat. And this is the part most people miss: A notable attitude shift follows, as Namor gains insight into Wakanda's culture and values before heading back to his oceanic domain. His upcoming appearance in Avengers: Doomsday suggests he's unlikely to revert to his ruthless roots. Sure, he's not turning into a saint, but he might align more as an ally than an adversary to Earth's mightiest defenders—especially with the introduction of Sue Storm, whose comic-book history ties her romantically to Namor.
Diving into a romantic entanglement with humans marks a steep decline for a character who once commanded the world's strongest kingdom to kneel. For Namor to reclaim his villainous glory, the MCU could draw inspiration from his Secret Wars arc, where he commands a band of rogues and anti-heroes in annihilating alternate realities before they strike back. It's a clever twist: He could justify his tyranny as protecting Earth by obliterating others. Sound eerily reminiscent of Thanos's 'mercy'? That's where the real debate ignites— is destroying countless worlds a heroic sacrifice or just another form of villainy in disguise?
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026.
What are your thoughts? Should Namor remain the unrepentant threat he is, or is there room for his redemption? Could Thanos-like 'merciful' acts ever be defended? Drop your opinions in the comments below and join the lively discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
