Jake Gyllenhaal is in talks to join the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" sequel as the villain Mysterio. That's great news, but there are plenty of other villains, for Spider-Man and beyond, who could be introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
We've thought about the superheroes who should be introduced after the fourth "Avengers" movie next year, but villains are an integral part of the MCU as well — or at least they should be.
The franchise didn't really start hitting its stride with villains until recently. Vulture in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," Hela in "Thor: Ragnarok," Killmonger in "Black Panther," and Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War" were all compelling villains who proved how engaging a well-written bad guy could be.
We're hopeful that the MCU can continue this trend. A Disney-Fox deal could open up a world of possibilities with Fantastic Four and X-Men villains and set the stage for franchise-altering events similar to "Infinity War."
Here are 11 villains who should be introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Annihilus
Enemy of: The Fantastic Four
Annihilus, the ruler of Marvel's Negative Zone, is just one of many villains who could be introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the Disney-Fox deal is finalized and would factor into a potential cosmic war reminiscent of the "Annihilation" storyline, which pits Marvel's space-based characters against one another in an all-out war.
The Fantastic Four discovered the Negative Zone, which has put them in frequent conflict with Annihilus, who often tries to invade Earth but is thwarted.
Chameleon
Enemy of: Spider-Man
Chameleon, who poses as other people to commit crimes, was the first villain Spider-Man encountered, way back in 1963, so it's a wonder he hasn't made his big-screen debut yet. Maybe it's because he's not as "cinematic" as the likes of Doctor Octopus or Lizard, but in the comics he is the brother of another Spider-Man foe, Kraven the Hunter — something that could make for an interesting dynamic in a third MCU "Spider-Man" movie.
Doctor Doom
Enemy of: The Fantastic Four
Doom, the leader of the fictional nation Latveria, would not only be the main enemy of the MCU's Fantastic Four — he could be a worthy enemy for the entire MCU.
Perhaps the problem with the "Fantastic Four" movies is that Doom is too formidable a villain and too complex a character to be confined to only them. But imagine Doom, a master of sorcery, going toe to toe with Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, and his purpose becomes clearer.
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