The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been on a recent hot streak following its success with the Infinity Saga that concluded many storylines and characters from the past decade. Now just beginning phase four, the ongoing universe seems to be heading in bigger and bolder directions more than ever. From the debut of the television format on Disney Plus which explores many side characters in greater depth (through series like WandaVision, Loki, and Hawkeye) to the introduction of the multiverse and greater cosmic beings, the MCU is not only spending time setting up its heroes but bringing in some big worthy villainous additions as well.
While some of the villains who are set have a major impact on the MCU down the road have already been teased, such as Jonathan Majors' "He Who Remains" in Loki (which is a variant of Kang the Conqueror), it's still unclear what other intimidating foes will appear in the upcoming films slated to be released in 2022. Here are the Marvel villains that are coming to the big screen in 2022.
Gargantos/Evil Doctor Strange - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
While this is the first big MCU feature set to release in 2022, it may also be the most unclear as to who will be the main foe for Doctor Strange and the other heroes to face. After the events of the first film, Chiwetel Ejiofor's Karl Mordo, Strange's former mentor turned enemy, continues hunting other sorcerers and stealing their mystical energy, feeling the world has too many sorcerers. While his character will be interesting to see how he develops, a title like Multiverse of Madness hints at something much larger and dangerous coming.
The recent release of a new lego set from the upcoming film revealed mini-figures of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wong (Benedict Wong), and newcomer America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) battling it with Gargantos in a set titled "Gargantos Showdown”. Gargantos is a large octopus-looking sea creature who debuted in an issue of Sub-Mariner in 1969. Some fans have been beginning to speculate that Gargantos could evolve to become Shuma-Gorath, a large inter-dimensional monster. While not confirmed, Marvel Studios' animated What If...? series presented another large cosmic, octopus-like creature battling it out with Captain Carter that many fans believed to be Shuma-Gorath, but fans will just have to wait and see if those rumors come true in May.
In addition to Gargantos (or Shuma-Gorath's) appearance, it's no surprise by now that Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch will be featured in the film (following the events of WandaVision). However, it is still unclear if she will serve as a hero or a villain (or perhaps both). Even though it's indicated that her character could become this anti-hero, especially after she is seen studying the Darkhold in her astral form, new footage in a post-credits scene following Spider-Man: No Way Home reveals that Stephen Strange has sought her help which could lead to the two teaming up against an even more powerful enemy that also has ties with past Marvel content like What If...?.
That's where Doctor Strange Supreme (or evil Doctor Strange) comes in. Also teased in the Spider-Man: No Way Home post-credits scene, the alternate version of Doctor Strange was introduced in episode 4 What If...?, as this alternate version of the character became evil after countless attempts to use magic to prevent his girlfriend Palmer's death. While there's no telling how much he will be featured in the film, it is very likely that Doctor Strange Supreme will set up lasting implications for the rest of the MCU.
Gorr the God Butcher - Thor: Love and Thunder
After a much-needed character revamping in 2017's successful Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is finally returning to the big screen for his character's fourth solo outing. Instead of Cate Blanchett in the lead villainous role as Hela, Thor's late older sister and the goddess of death, acclaimed actor Christain Bale will be tapping into the role of Gorr the God Butcher.
In the comics, Gorr comes from a nameless planet where lack of water, risk of starvation, earthquakes and other dangers are all very common. Yet, Gorr remains hopeful that the Gods will help his people. After losing his parents at a young age as well as his own family when he is older, Gorr is left to fend for himself, enduring much suffering as a result. This leads Gorr to believe that the Gods do not exist after his prayers were not answered. But after witnessing two gods in fight, he becomes filled with anger and rage, now setting off on a mission to kill all of the gods in the universe after none after what has been taken from him. It still remains a mystery to just how Gorr will be introduced in the film and at what point of his life he will be at.
Translating his familiarity with the superhero genre over to this film (after playing Batman in Christopher Nolan's iconic The Dark Knight trilogy), Bale will no doubt take such a tormented character and create one of the most memorable MCU performances that ranks up there with other villains like Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger or Josh Brolin's Thanos.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman back in August 2020, it was unclear in what direction the sequel will head down. Now with Letitia Wright's Shuri set to play a more prominent role as well as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirming that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will explore more of the rich history of Wakanda and it ancestors that came before, the highly anticipated sequel may also have a villain in mind.
While not being officially confirmed, the sequel may be introducing Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico) as Namor in the MCU. Think of Namor as Marvel's version of Aquaman from the DC Universe. In the comics, Namor is the son of a mortal sea captain and an Atlantean princess. He seeks to protect his kingdom against any rivals, so seeing two advanced, hidden civilizations that clash together might just be what Black Panther 2 will center on. At the end of Black Panther, T'Challa's goal was to have Wakanda more open and accessible to the rest of the world, so fans can expect this theme to be explored in greater depth in the sequel.
