Published between 2009 and 2013, the Dark Avengers are basically different iterations of the original team. In other words, supervillains posing as superheroes. The original iteration, led by Norman Osborne, included Bullseye portraying Hawkeye, Venom playing Spider-Man, and Daken as Wolverine.
With the MCU seemingly entering increasingly experimental territory, the Dark Avengers become one of the many storylines they can adapt into a future movie or Disney+ show. If the powers that be did decide to go forward with this supervillain team-up, who among the MCU’s rogues gallery would be a good fit? The choices are many, but some are certainly better than others.
Norman Osborne
With the announcement that several villains from previous iterations of the Spider-Man franchise would return in the upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans began wondering if the original big bad would come back as well. Norman Osborne’s Green Goblin is, after all, one of Spider-Man’s most enduring foes and arguably his arch-enemy.
In more ways than one, Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe defined the Green Goblin for cinematic purposes. With Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx reprising their roles as Dr. Octopus and Electro respectively, who’s to say Dafoe can’t also return? Osborne is the original leader of the Dark Avengers, so it’s only logical to expect him to fulfill the same role in the MCU iteration of the team.
Taskmaster
Black Widow is closer than ever, with the recent announcement that the film will premiere in cinemas and Disney+ on July 9. By now, it’s known that Taskmaster will be featured in the film and will use techniques of other superheroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man.
Thanks to his unique gift to use his opponents’ fighting styles against them, Taskmaster becomes an ideal member of the Dark Avengers. He can simply adopt the style and identity of someone like Bucky and the public would probably believe it.
Iron Maiden
So far, the only thing revealed about Rachel Weisz’s character in Black Widow is she’s a Black Widow and a mother figure for both Natasha and Yelena. She’s also involved in some sort of scientific experiment, which might bring her closer to her comic-book persona.
In the comics, Melina Vostokoff is also known as the Iron Maiden, a former Russian agent who harbors a deep hatred for the Black Widow. Should Weisz’s Vostokoff be more of a villain in Black Widow, her ample knowledge of the Red Room could mean she could adopt the identity of the Black Widow and no one would bat an eye.
Yelena Belova
Similar to Vostokoff, Yelena Belova’s true nature in Black Widow remains a mystery. Director Cate Shortland has said the film hands over the Black Widow baton to her. She’s also a sister-figure to Natasha who trained in the Red Room.
In the comics, Belova is definitely an antihero seeing as she’s been part of a wide array of organizations throughout her long history including S.H.I.E.L.D., the Thunderbolts, and even HYDRA. If the MCU decides to go the antihero route with her, Yelena becomes one of the main candidates to take part in the Dark Avengers. Like Vostokoff, she can play the part of the Black Widow.
The Vulture
Michael Keaton’s Vulture was a highlight of 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Not entirely evil but still morally reprehensible, Vulture lives in a grey zone allowing him to have more complexity than nearly any other Marvel villain before him.
Keaton’s Vulture would be a prime candidate for the Dark Avengers, mainly because he’d see the whole thing as a business opportunity. He isn’t interested in world domination or anything of the sort; he simply wants to provide for his family and those closest to him. What better way to do it than by becoming an Avenger? As for the role he could play, he’d have to take over the Falcon mantle, especially now that Sam is seemingly preparing to abandon it.
Baron Zemo
The main orchestrator behind the Civil War, Baron Zemo is one of the MCU’s most interesting villains. A hero in his own eyes, Zemo’s actions were inspired by his pain and desire for revenge, as well as the belief that he was truly providing a service by bringing down the false heroes.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will surely fill a lot of the gaps remaining in the character’s backstory. And while his future is uncertain, if he survives the events of TFATWS, he’d be a prime candidate for the villainous team-up. Perhaps even playing a modified version of Winter Soldier.
Agatha Harkness
One of the newest additions to Marvel’s rogues’ gallery, Agatha Harkness is a very powerful witch who seems to know more about magic than anyone else in the MCU, including Dr. Strange. As of now, she’s trapped in Westview playing the part of Agnes, the nosy neighbor, but it’s only a matter of time before she makes her grand return.
Agatha will most likely play a huge part in Wanda’s story going forward. She could even factor in the upcoming Multiverse saga and might even eventually assume the same role she fulfilled in the comics, as Wanda’s mentor/caretaker. In the Dark Avengers, she could play the role of the Scarlet Witch herself with great accuracy.
Mysterio
Thanks in large part to Jake Gyllenhaal’s devastatingly charming performance, Mysterio quickly became one of the MCU’s most unforgettable and effective villains. Even though he seemingly died at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, Mysterio can still return in future MCU projects.
Because of his unique skill set, Mysterio could play any number of characters during his stint as a Dark Avenger. He could use his illusion to play anyone from Iron Man to Hulk in a mostly believable way. He would also add a lot of tech power to the team, aided by Osborne’s immense wealth.
Scarlet Witch
Whether Wanda Maximoff becomes an antihero or not remains to be seen. In truth, all the groundwork’s been laid and, should she go over to the dark, or at least the grey side, it would make perfect sense. As of now, Wanda is on a solitary path that can only take her closer to unlocking her true chaotic power.
Scarlet Witch can be the Dark Avengers’ ultimate weapon. Within the MCU, she’s one of the, if not the most powerful being in existence, not counting Celestials and the still to be revealed Eternals. She wouldn’t even need to adopt a mantle and could simply play herself.
Loki
The God of Mischief Loki wouldn’t need an explanation to join the Dark Avengers and no one would be surprised if he did. Indeed, Loki changes sides more often than Thor changes hairstyles. He could join the Dark Avengers and work towards achieving their goals, then betray them and go back to working with the regular Avengers.
Loki’s character lends itself to play for every possible side without ever losing an ounce of consistency. A master of spells and illusions, he could assume the identity of every single Avenger but he’d probably choose Dr. Strange. Definitely not Thor, though.
