THEN AND NOW: Actors who played villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Olivia SinghAug 5, 2020, 03:41 IST

Cate Blanchett starred as Hela in "Thor: Ragnarok."Disney/Marvel; Joel C. Ryan/Invision/AP

Actors like Jeff Bridges, Cate Blanchett, Kurt Russell, and Michael B. Jordan have portrayed antagonists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Since then, they've gone on to star in other films of shows and win awards for their performances.
Bridges, who starred as Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger in "Iron Man," went on to win an Oscar for his role "Crazy Heart."
"Thor: Ragnarok" star Blanchett (Hela) received an Emmy nomination for her part on the show "Mrs. America."

Every superhero needs a worthy adversary, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of villains.

Since the MCU's first film ("Iron Man") in 2008, a variety of actors have portrayed antagonists. This includes Oscar winner Jeff Bridges, who portrayed Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger in the aforementioned movie, and Michael B. Jordan, who gave a stellar performance as a multi-layered character named Erik Killmonger in 2018's "Black Panther." Meanwhile, Josh Brolin played Thanos, the primary villain of the Infinity Saga.

Here's what the actors who portrayed villains in the MCU have been up to since then.

In 2008's "Iron Man," Jeff Bridges starred as antagonist Obadiah Stane.

Jeff Bridges in "Iron Man." Disney/Marvel

Bridges went on to become an Oscar winner.

Jeff Bridges in February 2019. Moloshok Photography./imageSPACE/MediaPunch/IPX

Tim Roth starred as Emil Blonsky, who turned into the Abomination, in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk."

Tim Roth starred as Emil Blonsky/the Abomination in "The Incredible Hulk." /UniverseMarvel

Roth is perhaps best known for his role as deception expert Dr. Cal Lightman on "Lie to Me."

Tim Roth in October 2019. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for BFI

Sam Rockwell starred as Justin Hammer in "Iron Man 2."

Sam Rockwell in "Iron Man 2." Disney/Marvel

Rockwell won an Oscar for his supporting role as Dixon in 2017's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."

Sam Rockwell in January 2020. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Justin Hammer turned to Mickey Rourke's Ivan Vanko/Whiplash to help him replicate Tony's arc reactor tech in "Iron Man 2."

Mickey Rourke in "Iron Man 2." Disney/Marvel

Rourke has starred in several films since "Iron Man 2," primarily action and thriller movies.

Mickey Rourke in August 2019. BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In 2011's Thor, the titular God of Thunder a reignited war between the Asgardians and frost giants from Jötunheim, who were led by King Laufey (Colm Feore).

Colm Feore starred as King Laufey in "Thor." Disney/Marvel

Feore stars as Reginald Hargreeves on Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy."

Colm Feore in February 2019. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Hugo Weaving starred as Hydra leader Johann Schmidt/Red Skull in "Captain America: The First Avenger."

Hugo Weaving in "Captain America: The First Avenger." Disney/Marve;

Weaving went on to reprise his "Lord of the Rings" role as Elrond for the "Hobbit" movies.

Hugo Weaving in September 2019. Juanito Aguil/WireImage

In 2012's "The Avengers," Loki continued his nefarious ways and brought the aliens known as the Chitauri to NYC for an invasion.

Tom Hiddleston in "The Avengers." Disney/Marvel

Hiddleston will reprise his fan-favorite Marvel role for a Disney Plus show titled "Loki."

Tom Hiddleston in July 2019. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)=

Guy Pearce played "Iron Man 3" antagonist Aldrich Killian.

Guy Pearce in "Iron Man 3." Disney/Marvel

In 2020, Pearce played the villain of another superhero movie.

Guy Pearce in December 2019. Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

In "Thor: The Dark World," Christopher Eccleston starred as a dark elf named Malekith.

Christopher Eccleston in "Thor: The Dark World." Disney/

Eccleston stars on a BBC drama series called "The A Word."

Christopher Eccleston in November 2019. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes returned as a brainwashed assassin for Hydra known as Winter Soldier in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Solider in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Disney/Marvel

Stan and Mackie will star on their own Disney Plus show called "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

Sebastian Stan in August 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Lee Pace was unrecognizable as "Guardians of the Galaxy" villain Ronan the Accuser.

Lee Pace in "Guardians of the Galaxy." Disney/Marvel

Pace returned as Ronan for 2019's "Captain Marvel," which was set in the '90s.

Lee Pace in October 2019. Debra L. Rothenberg/Getty Images

The titular character of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" was portrayed by James Spader.

James Spader played Ultron in "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Marvel Studios

Spader is known for his role as Raymond "Red" Reddington on NBC's "The Blacklist."

James Spader in May 2019. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In "Ant-Man," Corey Stoll's Darren Cross replicated Hank Pym's famous Pym Particles and planned on selling his creation to Hydra.

Corey Stoll in "Ant-Man." Marvel

Stoll has appeared on shows like "Billions" and "The Deuce."

Corey Stoll in March 2020. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Daniel Brühl's Helmut Zemo in "Captain America: Civil War" didn't have special powers, but he was just as menacing, if not more, than other MCU villains.

Daniel Brühl in "Captain America: Civil War." Disney/Marvel

Brühl will reprise his MCU role for Disney Plus' upcoming series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

Daniel Brühl in February 2020. Gerald Matzka/picture alliance via Getty Images

Mads Mikkelsen played a sorcerer named Kaecilius in 2016's "Doctor Strange."

Mads Mikkelsen in "Doctor Strange." Disney/Marvel

Mikkelson portrayed a scientist named Galen Erso in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

Mads Mikkelsen in June 2019. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Kurt Russell played "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." villain Ego.

Kurt Russell in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." Disney/Marvel

Russell played a stunt-coordinator named Randy Miller in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

Kurt Russell in April 2019. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM

Michael Keaton played "Spider-Man: Homecoming" villain Adrian Toomes/Vulture.

Michael Keaton in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Sony Pictures/Marvel

Keaton is reportedly in talks to resume his Batman role for "The Flash," starring Ezra Miller.

Michael Keaton in February 2020. Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Cate Blanchett starred as antagonist Hela in 2017's "Thor: Ragnarok."

Cate Blanchett in "Thor: Ragnarok." Disney/Marvel

In 2020, Blanchett earned an Emmy nomination for her role as Phyllis Schlafly on "Mrs. America."

Cate Blanchett in February 2020. Joel C. Ryan/Invision/AP

Michael B. Jordan was praised for his performance as Erik Killmonger in 2018's "Black Panther."

Michael B. Jordan in "Black Panther." Marvel

Jordan continues to make waves in Hollywood.

Michael B. Jordan in February 2020. Richard Shotwell/Invision/A

Hannah John-Kamen played Ava Starr/Ghost in 2018's "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

Hannah John-Kamen in "Ant-Man and the Wasp." Disney/Marvel

John-Kamen stars on a new TV series adaptation of Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel "Brave New World."

Hannah John-Kamen in February 2020. Karwai Tang/WireImage

Jude Law starred as Yon-Rogg, the mentor-turned-foe of Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers in 2019's "Captain Marvel."

Jude Law in "Captain Marvel." Marvel

Jude Law plays a younger Albus Dumbledore in the "Fantastic Beasts" movies.

Jude Law in January 2020. Greg Allen/Invision/AP

Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, served as the MCU's overarching villain for the Infinity Saga.

Josh Brolin in "Avengers: Endgame." Disney/Marvel

Brolin stars in Denis Villeneuve's star-studded film "Dune," based on Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel of the same name.

Josh Brolin in April 2019. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Jake Gyllenhaal starred as "Spider-Man: Far From Home" villain Quentin Beck/Mysterio.

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures Entertainment

Gyllenhaal returned to Broadway in 2019 with "Sea Wall/A Life."

Jake Gyllenhaal in October 2019. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP

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