Avengers 6 Can Redeem The Thor Villain The MCU Ruined

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By adapting one storyline from Marvel Comics, Avengers: Secret Wars can finally redeem one major MCU villain that Thor: The Dark World wasted. Though not many details have yet been revealed about Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, the two projects are expected to be massive events in the MCU, rivaling Infinity War and Endgame as they bring the Multiverse Saga to a close. Several heroes from the MCU's past are thought to be returning, as well as those from other superhero franchises, but with them must also come villains - which could spell good news for those that Marvel Studios wasted in the MCU.
While Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is expected to bring Kang the Conqueror's story to an end in the MCU, speculation suggests that 2026's Avengers: Secret Wars will be a monumental MCU crossover event. Taking inspiration from 1984's and 2015's Secret Wars storylines in Marvel Comics, the Phase 6 film could see dozens of heroes and villains from the MCU, Fox's X-Men franchise, and Sony's Spider-Man universe come together for one final story together. Due to these characters expected to be returning, it's possible that Avengers: Secret Wars could take inspiration from other comic storylines, including one that might help to redeem a huge villain that the MCU's Phase 2 ruined.
Thor: The Dark World Wasted Malekith

Christopher Eccleston debuted as Malekith in 2013's Thor: The Dark World, an adaptation of Malekith the Accursed who was introduced to Marvel Comics in 1984's Thor #344. In the MCU's Phase 2, Malekith was intent on harnessing the power of the Aether, a.k.a. the Reality Stone, to bring darkness to the Nine Realms during the Convergence event. Aside from this, none of Malekith's other abilities were displayed in The Dark World. While the MCU has arguably wasted iconic villains such as the Red Skull, Ultron, and the Mandarin, Malekith is one of the biggest victims, as he is far more powerful in Marvel Comics, and poses a much greater threat.
In Marvel Comics, Malekith's above-average development grants him heightened levels of the usual abilities possessed by him and the other Dark Elves. These include enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and durability, as well as the ability to manipulate magical forces which enable him to teleport, cast illusions, and change the appearance of other beings or objects. These mystical powers make him an ever-present foe to Thor, but were all completely ignored during his MCU debut. While Eccleston worked with what he was given in Thor: The Dark World - often regarded as one of the MCU's weakest projects - Malekith deserves a chance at redemption in the MCU's Phase 6.
Secret Wars Can Adapt A Famous Malekith Storyline

Throughout his appearances in Marvel Comics, Malekith was regularly seen butting heads with Thor, Jane Foster, and even Iron Man, but by far his largest storyline came with 2019's War of the Realms. During the story, Malekith is revealed to have conquered nine of the Ten Realms, using the power of his Dark Bifrost Bridge that allowed him to teleport with ease to each realm, with only Midgard (Earth) left to attack. His impending attack causes Earth's heroes to band together to defeat him, featuring the likes of Thor, Doctor Strange, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four, while dozens more heroes and villains also play an important role.
The crossover potential of Phase 6's Avengers: Secret Wars lends itself perfectly to this sort of storyline, particularly since several Thor variants have a part to play in War of the Realms. This storyline would put Malekith front-and-center, while also giving focus to characters such as Venom - portrayed by Tom Hardy in Sony's Spider-Man Universe - and Thor himself, who certainly needs redemption after Chris Hemsworth's most recent appearance in Thor: Love & Thunder. Avengers: Secret Wars has no shortage of storylines it can adapt from Marvel Comics, but War of the Realms could allow at least one wasted MCU villain to get his time in the spotlight again.
Other Villains That Deserve Cameos In Secret Wars

Marvel Studios has often come under scrutiny for wasting some of the most memorable villains from Marvel Comics, often featuring some of the comics' longest-running foes in only one project before routinely killing them off or easily defeating them. Avengers: Secret Wars provides the perfect opportunity for some of these villains to return, gifting them another chance to show their full potential in the MCU, and perhaps redeeming them from their disappointing first tries. While major villains like Thanos, Loki, and the Winter Soldier have seen some huge developments in the MCU, there is a long list of villains who still need a chance to prove their worth.
The Red Skull returned in Infinity War and Endgame, but he could do with a chance to live up to his name as one of Captain America's most iconic villains. Ultron is a popular candidate, as Avengers: Age of Ultron seriously diminished the power and legacy of the nefarious artificial intelligence, though it's thought that Marvel Studios' Armor Wars could fix this. Iron Man 2's Whiplash, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Wenwu, a.k.a. the Mandarin, Thor: Ragnarok's Hela, Doctor Strange's Kaecilius, and even Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer could all get their chance to shine in Avengers: Secret Wars, giving them much more terrifying legacies in the MCU.
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