The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is not just about great superheroes, but equally (or sometimes more) formidable villains who have left their mark on pop culture. From the cunning Loki to the complex Killmonger, we’ve all loved these antagonists worldwide. But now, fans have pitted Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and Josh Brolin’s Thanos.
One is a mad titan, and the other is a crimelord, so the comparison might seem unfair to most, but a villain is more than just his raw power and mass destruction. Now, let’s dive into the battle of the bad guys, and see who truly deserves the crown of MCU’s best villain.
Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin: A villain you can almost touch
Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal in the MCU has redefined what it means to be a villain in this saga. Even though he doesn’t operate on a cosmic scale like Thanos, he certainly thrives in the underbelly of Hell’s Kitchen. His vulnerability, chilling capacity for violence, and the ability to manipulate others is what qualifies him for this comparison.
D’Onofrio seems to be tailor-made for the role, and his performance is a masterclass when it comes to making things subtle yet intense. So his version of the Kingpin feels terrifyingly real. We see his journey intersect once again with Matt Murdock in Daredevil: Born Again, as the show engages us in his morally complex arc.
We know about his traumatic past and where the need for control and power stems from, so he becomes relatable in a way that Thanos might not be. Fans are batting for Kingpin to be the best villain in the franchise and understandably so because his layered character has left a lasting impression.
Josh Brolin’s Thanos: A villain like no other
Josh Brolin’s Thanos is on the other end of the spectrum, and you can feel his impact across the entire MCU. He was on a mission to collect all the infinity stones and wipe out half of all life, so the threat that he represented was on a cosmic scale, which makes him unparalleled.
His philosophical reasoning for this destruction could be a twisted belief that some might relate to, but most would agree that he’s not a villain that you could connect with. But he does have a tragic backstory, that led to lasting consequences for the entire MCU.
He was present in larger-than-life movies like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and his iconic snap that erased half of all life is now a known reference in pop culture. So who takes the title of MCU’s best villain? The answer doesn’t seem to be so straightforward because if you value a grounded portrayal, then Kingpin is the OG, but for those who loved the grand destruction and universe-shaking menace, Thanos would take the win.
You can watch Daredevil: Born Again, Avengers: Infinity War, and Endgame on Disney+/
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
