As Iron Man was the hero who kicked off the MCU, it was no surprise to fans when he became the most influential hero within the franchise. Robert Downey Jr.’s charismatic performance as Tony Stark has already seen it go down in history as one of the best-cast roles in cinema, earning him a central role in the development of the MCU’s wider story. Although Iron Man’s tragic death in Avengers: Endgame seemed to bring his story to a heroic end, his absence in the Multiverse Saga might not be as permanent as it once seemed. With many powerful MCU Avengers returning for Avengers: Doomsday, it has been speculated that Iron Man will potentially return.
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While recasting the role within the franchise will likely prove divisive, it comes with a distinct upside. Bringing back Iron Man would not only capitalize on the hero’s existing popularity but would also afford the MCU an opportunity to adapt other stories from the comics that initially seemed to be off-limits after Endgame. Should Iron Man make a return in the movies of the MCU, some of his most evil villains could yet appear within the franchise.
7) The Controller (Basil Sandhurst)
Iron Man is far from the only character in the Marvel Universe to benefit from a high-powered suit of armor. Basil Sandhurst, better known as the Controller, also has a suit, and it works in tandem with his mind control ability to make him a dangerous enemy for Iron Man. The Controller first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1969, and has made multiple appearances since then. The nature of his abilities would make him a potentially compelling villain, and one who could work well as an adversary of Iron Man in the MCU.
6) Detroit Steel
There are so many MCU characters who have already worn an iron suit, so introducing more wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility. Should the MCU bring back Iron Man, as has been speculated, Detroit Steel would be an interesting villain to introduce as part of his story. Several characters have worn the armor and assumed the mantle in the comics, including Sasha Hammer, Justin Hammer’s daughter. Putting the potentially personal grudge aside, Detroit Steel’s status as a super-mercenary is something that would paint the villain in stark contrast to Iron Man in the MCU.
5) Spymaster
Some of the best Iron Man moments have involved the hero fighting to protect those he loves. If the hero returns to the MCU, there are several of these characters that could factor into the equation, including Happy Hogan. In the comics, Happy Hogan is killed by the villain Spymaster as a means of getting to Tony Stark. This would make Spymaster a great villain to appear in the MCU, especially as they could easily appear in stories featuring other heroes, too.
4) Madame Masque (Whitney Frost)
Over the character’s Marvel history, Iron Man has had many comic book love interests. One of these is the villain Madame Masque, who shares a complex past with Tony Stark. Introducing a new version of Iron Man to the MCU could open the door for romantic storylines between the hero and other characters, and Madame Masque would be perfect. The story between the pair is dramatic, engaging, and packed with twists and turns, making her a potentially excellent villain for the MCU’s future.
3) Korvac (Michael Korvac)
Though the franchise’s audience has already seen the introductions of many incredibly powerful MCU villains, it would seem that there’s always room for another. Michael Korvac, better known simply as Korvac, would be a perfect choice, as he poses not just a threat to Iron Man, but to the Avengers as well. His ability to manipulate energy, as well as being the one-time wielder of the Power Cosmic, makes Korvac a formidable foe for any Marvel hero. Though he isn’t specifically an Iron Man villain, he’s a great Marvel antagonist with plenty of storylines involving Tony Stark.
2) Dreadknight (Bram Helsing)
Dreadknight is the sort of high-concept villain that once might have been considered impossible to adapt into a modern comic book movie, but he could actually prove a perfect enemy for Iron Man in the MCU’s future. Dreadknight is a character with connections to Doctor Doom, as well as Morgan Le Fay, and has been an enemy of both Iron Man and Black Knight. Adapting Dreadknight into the MCU may require some creative license, but his appearance could be a perfect way to connect Iron Man with an upcoming MCU hero in the form of Black Knight.
1) Iron Man 2020 (Arno Stark)
Iron Man is one of the most important MCU characters, so bringing him back would require the introduction of an appropriate villain for him to battle. Arno Stark, also known as Iron Man 2020, would be perhaps the best choice. Tony Stark’s wayward young cousin lacks the moral scruples of the hero, and introducing him as a villain to be overcome by Iron Man could make for a great story to endear audiences to a new version of the hero. When it comes to villainous versions of Iron Man, Arno Stark would be a perfect choice for a new MCU Iron Man story.
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
