Why Marvel’s next major villain cannot be Galactus

Let’s face it, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have a tough time topping Thanos.

The mad titan was the underlying villain of the MCU from Phase One through to Phase Three, often operating behind the scenes throughout the Infinity Saga.

His inevitable defeat though in Avengers: Endgame means Marvel now have to look elsewhere for their next major threat.

There are still a number of options, including Galactus, Doctor Doom, Apocalypse, Kang the Conqueror and Magneto.

Someone like Ultron could always resurface, despite being defeated in the second Avengers movie; but that particular ship has likely sailed.

Meanwhile, threats like Galactus and Doctor Doom can now be tapped into thanks to Marvel Studios’ new ownership of the X-Men and Fantastic Four.

Even if that’s still a fair way off – Phase Five at the earliest.

Yet while many believe that Galactus would be a fitting successor to Thanos as the MCU’s next big bad, there is a much better option out there.

It would be more fitting for Galactus to serve as a villain in a crossover, potentially with the Avengers and Fantastic Four.

Galactus is the devourer of worlds, but that’s born out of hunger and not malicious intent. The villain doesn’t purposefully seek to destroy the world.

I would think Kang would be a better fit.

To be honest, Marvel haven’t really teased anything like they did with Thanos and the Infinity Stones.

Phase Four of the MCU could take us anywhere in regards to its future big bad; but there are logical steps already in place to suggest Kang the Conqueror could surface next.

Kang, quite simply, is a time-traveller.

We already know from both Spider-Man: Far From Home and the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that the multiverse exists in the MCU.

That’s one way Marvel could incorporate their next major threat – one from another world/or another timeline.

And the Avengers’ own time-travelling exploits in Avengers: Endgame could be the key here to the arrival of Kang.

If Marvel even seek to incorporate an Iron Man successor, such as Iron Lad (one of Kang’s notable aliases), that could be one avenue for Kang to appear.

Because Marvel cannot build up to their next major villain the same way as Thanos.

Whoever it may be, they cannot be hiding behind the scenes, waiting for the right time to strike.

Kang, either appearing through time, or as Iron Lad (before being revealed to be Kang) would work.

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So…

Who might the next Avengers villain be?

Even if Kang takes centre-stage in the next two to three phases of the MCU, there’s still plenty opportunity for someone like Galactus to appear in a less substantial villain role.

Or even as the successor to Kang. The MCU will go on for many years yet.