Role of Villains In Shaping The MCU, Thanos and Loki

Role of Villains In Shaping The MCU, Thanos and Loki: The Marvel Universe is known for its complex and dynamic characters, both heroes and villains. The villains in particular play a crucial role in shaping the universe, serving as powerful foils to the superheroes and driving the storylines forward. From the scheming Loki to the ruthless Thanos, these characters have captivated audiences with their unique motivations and abilities. In this article, we will explore the role of villains in the MCU, examining how they have shaped the stories and characters we have come to love. 

How Thanos Improved The Marvel Universe In ‘Infinity War’

Thanos, the Mad Titan, improved the Marvel Universe in ‘Infinity War’ by serving as the ultimate villain and providing a sense of stakes that had never been seen before in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Gave Hulk a Storyline

Thanos played a pivotal role in giving the Hulk a much-needed storyline in “Infinity War.” At the start of the film, we see the Hulk, a prominent character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, getting defeated in a one-sided fight against Thanos. This defeat not only establishes Thanos as a formidable enemy but also has a significant impact on the Hulk’s character. The Hulk’s previous lack of a meaningful storyline, due to the disappointment of “The Incredible Hulk,” had limited his character to being a side character and source of comic relief. With no real challenges to face, the Hulk had no real story to speak of. This all changed in “Infinity War,” as Thanos’ defeat has left the Hulk both physically and mentally broken, with Banner unable to transform even if the fate of the world is at stake. This struggle to bring the Hulk back and heal his shattered ego will be explored in Avengers 4, finally giving the Hulk a much-needed character arc.

Redeemed Loki

Loki’s character development over the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen him transition from a menacing villain to a more relatable and likable character, similar to an annoying little brother. However, his trickster nature remained and he was still prone to betraying his brother Thor. While Thanos ultimately kills Loki in “Infinity War,” he gives him a fitting and memorable ending. As Thanos threatens Thor’s life, Loki initially feigns indifference but ultimately breaks down and sacrifices himself for Thor, giving up the Tesseract to Thanos. In his final moments, Loki chooses to fight and die nobly, putting his love for his brother above his own survival. This act of self-sacrifice demonstrated that Loki was more than just a trickster, he was a hero, and it took his death for us to fully appreciate his character’s growth and depth. This act gives Loki’s character a much needed boost for the upcoming ventures.

Thanos Forced The Superheroes To Step Up

The Avengers, who are known as Earth’s mightiest heroes in the comic books, have always been portrayed as powerful, but they were not truly tested until the arrival of Thanos. The Mad Titan posed a threat on a scale that the Avengers had never encountered before. When Thanos arrived on Earth, the Avengers rose to the challenge and we saw them perform at their full potential. Characters like Iron-Man and Spider-Man were able to hold their own against powerful demigods in space. It was exciting to see the characters use their advanced technology and suits to fight on a level that was previously unimaginable.

Thor truly lived up to his title as he forged an axe inside a star and nearly defeated Thanos with one hit. Captain America doubled his shield count and successfully held his own against Thanos, while Black Widow also managed to hold her own against the invading forces. The battles against Thanos in space were truly on another level, it was beyond a typical alien invasion of New York and more like a live-action version of Dragon Ball Z. Thanos’ presence has made the MCU a more exciting and interesting place.

Loki’s Role In Shaping The MCU

Loki, the Asgardian God of Mischief, has played a significant role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since his first appearance in “The Avengers” in 2012. As Thor’s adopted brother and one of the first villains introduced in the MCU, Loki served as an early antagonist for the Avengers and helped establish the universe’s cosmic setting. Throughout his appearances in the MCU, Loki’s character has evolved from a one-dimensional villain to a more complex and relatable character. He is known for his trickster nature and his tendency to switch sides, and this unpredictability has kept audiences guessing about his true loyalties.

Loki’s role in the MCU has also helped to develop the character of Thor, as their sibling rivalry and complicated relationship has been a major aspect of Thor’s arc. The dynamic between the two brothers has also been a source of humor in the films. Loki’s death in “Infinity War” had a profound impact on the film and the characters, particularly Thor, and his sacrifice helped to drive the story forward. However, Loki’s 2021 Tv Series was the real game changer for the Asgardian Trickster and MCU.

The Rise & Growth Of Loki’s Character

Many were initially skeptical about how Marvel would depict Loki as a more sympathetic character in the new Disney+ series “Loki”. However, the series effectively utilized his past appearances in films such as “Thor: The Dark World”, “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Infinity War” to showcase his character development and growth from a villain to a more complex and vulnerable anti-hero. Surprisingly, the series achieved this by having Loki watch highlights of his past actions in the MCU, which allowed him to reflect on his past actions and emotions, and progress through his own character arc. This technique was not only clever but also an efficient way to give Loki’s character the development he deserved while also building the other characters in the series.

Loki’s characterization and story has opened many doors and possibilities for the MCU. In the coming times it’s quite evident that Loki will be one of the major driving forces in shaping the Marvel Universe.

Also Read: Origin Story of Kang the Conqueror