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Power Players Behind The MCU

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Loki, Thanos, Ultron, and Hydra are all but gone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaving a void of master manipulators. The franchise presses on, raising questions about who now pulls the strings - and what's in store for the surviving heroes and newcomers. Even without Tony Stark, the MCU has no shortage of powerful minds, both benevolent and ill-intentioned. The plot is already unfolding behind the scenes, with the next wave of twists and turns in the works. It's now a matter of who will pull the strings and when.

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  • 1
    He Who Remains Is Gone, Long Live Kang The Conqueror

    He Who Remains did not last past the end ofLoki is listed among the Power Players Behind The MCU.lost his first season after Sylvie Laufeydottir's sword struck him. That applies only to that version of the character. Before dying, He Who Remains explained he won a multiversal war. He kept other, tougher versions of himself from rising up and taking control of those timelines.

    Now that He Who Remains is gone, the door is open to other variants. Each variant can control time and the beings moving through it at a normal speed.

    Kang the Conqueror is coming. He is the most Marvel Comics-famous version of He Who Remains. Loki sees a statue of this man in the refurbished TVA upon his return. Kang is not just coming; he is already plotting across the past, present, and future to grow his time empire. Time will tell when he focuses on the main MCU.

  • 2
    Nick Fury Is Off In Space, But He’s Still Got His Eye On Earth

    Since the events of Avengers: Endgame, Loki's role is established.Avengers: Endgame features Loki.and possibly much earlier, Nick Fury has spent more time in outer space. He appears to be on a holographic vacation, but he stays busy. He established S.W.O.R.D., watched Earth's events, and sent Skrull doppelgangers on missions.

    Fury always plans something secret. He does it. The mystery involves what Fury plans, how big those plans are, and what future events he is aiming for.

    Fury likely prepares for a secret invasion. But he is working on more. Fury will not leave Earth undefended for long. Expect him to have his hand in any new Avengers group forming.

  • 3
    Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Is Definitely Up To Something

    Valentina Allegra de Fontaine appeared just twice in this.The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is another entry.Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine asks many questions about her goals but gives no answers. She recruits John Walker for her unclear mission. She clearly has the contacts to get him a new suit and maybe a new shield. The cause and who else is involved remain a secret, aside from a warning that "things are about to get weird." De Fontaine’s comic book history offers confusing clues.

    In her decades of published history, the Contessa acted as Nick Fury's close friend and love interest. She helped him with his spycraft since the early days of S.H.I.E.L.D. She also went undercover as Madame Hydra, was replaced by a Skrull imposter, and served as a sleeper agent for the Soviet group Leviathan. She is one of Fury's most trusted allies, yet she has betrayed him many times.

    Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is plotting something.Valentina Allegra de Fontaine appears in the list 'Power Players Behind The MCU'.She has more scheming angles than names, and she has many names.

  • 4
    Baron Zemo Can Still Get A Lot Done From A Prison Cell

    Prior to the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Helmut Zemo was a power player behind the MCU.Helmut Zemo is listed as a power player behind the MCU for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.Most assumed Baron Helmut Zemo left the board through life imprisonment. His nonparticipation in the MCU came by choice.

    Minutes after leaving prison, Zemo has a private jet ready. It will take him, Sam Wilson, and Bucky Barnes across the world. Zemo has cars, weapons, and a purple mask. This suggests he only needed a solid motive, like super-soldiers needing to be killed, to rejoin the action. Wealth, influence, and the brainpower to use them effectively are his true powers.

    Even after returning to the Raft at the series' end, Zemo organizes his butler to blow up the surviving Flag Smashers. Maximum security cannot stop Zemo if he wants to. The only question left is: What will draw Zemo out of his jail time?

  • 5
    The Real Mandarin Has Been Around Since The Beginning

    The Mandarin and his Ten Rings organization are the original Marvel Cinematic Universe villains. They kidnapped Tony Stark inIron Man is listed as a power player behind the MCU.They remain a background threat through toShang-Chi is listed as a power player behind the MCU.The Ten Rings appear inIron Man 2 is listed as a power player behind the MCU.to smuggle Ivan Vanko inIron Man 3 is listed as a power player behind the MCU.Mandarin shared a negative review of Trevor Slattery’s fake Mandarin and was in the list 'Power Players Behind The MCU'.Ant-Man is listed as a power player behind the MCU.to buy Pym Particles.

    As Mandarin's schemes show in future MCU entries, his long, decades-long plots will become clearer. The delay in seeing the Mandarin in person is part of the plan.

  • 6
    The Grandmaster Didn't Get That Name Accidentally

    The Grandmaster takes total command of the chaotic planet Sakaar, despite showing little talent except a Jeff Goldblum-like charm. Thor and the Hulk stop him from turning on the wrong side of a revolution. By the time Thor: Ragnarok happens, the Grandmaster is in charge.Thor: Ragnarok is listed as a power player behind the MCU.The Grandmaster is already back on top.

    Comic fans know the Grandmaster belongs to a very old, very powerful group of cosmic entities called theElders of the Universe is listed as a power player behind the MCU.along with the Collector and others with similar titles. If he uses any of the power reserves from the comics, his potential is huge. Though the Grandmaster seems happy with his luxury on Sakaar, more gladiators like Thor and the Hulk might make him look toward Earth later.

  • 7
    That Alternate Version Of Loki Is Almost Certainly Up To Some Mischief

    Loki schemes even when trying to do good. That is his nature as the God of Mischief. The character pulled from his post-Avengers.The villainous peak stars in his own Disney+ series. This suggests trouble for the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse.

    A stern talk from the Time Variance Authority cannot stop Loki from spinning plots. He schemes against his father, the Avengers, Earth, and Thanos at once, making it look simple.

    Loki always has backup plans for any bad luck. If he travels time and space, he can reach his old goal of ruling Asgard, plus many other bigger aims.

  • 8
    Brokering Power Is Sharon Carter’s New Thing

    For those secretly pulling strings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sharon Carter is the Power Broker. Her actions and reasons remain unclear.The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.These things will clear up in future appearances. Sharon Carter already controls major strings.

    Audiences know Carter uses the Power Broker role to create the Super-Soldier Serum. A scientist under her works succeeded where others failed. Karli Morgenthau and the Flag Smashers steal the serum before Carter uses it. Carter gets a pardon and a new US government job. This gives her access to more high-tech power. She then contacts a colleague to sell the secrets.

    Sharon wants money from her deceit, or she has bigger plans behind the power-brokering. Her schemes have not started yet.

  • 9
    Ayesha And The Sovereign Are Still Waiting On The Perfect Man

    Ayesha is driven throughout.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.Ayesha tries to prove why you don't mess with the Sovereign. Her attempts at revenge fail quickly. Ayesha is one of the proudest figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She is far from finished, and audiences know what she plans.

    Ayesha announces plans to create a being more perfect than herself, naming him Adam. Veteran comic readers recognize this as Adam Warlock, a powerful cosmic figure sometimes called “Space Jesus.” Ayesha likely targets the Guardians and their allies first, though Warlock probably ends up on the good side.

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  • 10
    The Red Skull Is Free Again With The Infinity Stones Eliminated

    In 1945,the Red Skulltampered with the Space Stone. This action blasted him to the planet Vormir. There, he took on the job of sharing spooky dialogue about the Soul Stone for decades. The mainstream MCU timeline shows Thanos unmade the Infinity Stones, supposedly forever. So, what happens to the Red Skull?

    Johann Schmidt might escape whatever held him on Vormir. He could have died from old age, or he might have gained ghostly new powers. If this is true, the Skull would have schemed for five years before *Avengers: Endgame*.Avengers: EndgameThat is a long time for a man who once pushed the world to the brink of destruction and likely still holds evil goals.

  • 11
    Baron Mordo Is Out There Hunting Sorcerers

    Karl Mordo spends most of his MCU time on the good side for a classic comic book supervillain. He avoids being called a baron. Mordo distrusts the Ancient One and resents Doctor Strange.Mordo stays fighting Kaecilius and Dormammu. He saves his breaking bad for a post-credits scene where he claims there are “too many sorcerers” and plans action.Mordo mildly resents Doctor Strange. Mordo fights Kaecilius and Dormammu. He saves his breaking bad for a post-credits scene. There, he declares there are “too many sorcerers” and plans action.

    Mordo could ally with dark figures like Nightmare, Mephisto, or Dormammu. This might lead Mordo to become a villainous master planner and a rival to Strange.The Kree Supreme Intelligence plans things. As the artificial mind embodying an empire’s greatest thinkers, it works to expand that empire.Evidence shows Mordo is not entirely successful in his mission. He realizes taking down bad mystics one by one wastes time. Mordo shifts to a bigger campaign against all magic users.

    This might make Mordo ally with dark figures like Nightmare, Mephisto, or Dormammu, his comic book partner. Time will tell. If he does, Mordo could earn villainous master planner status and prove himself a worthy rival to Strange.

  • 12
    The Kree Supreme Intelligence Has Been Plotting Since The '90s

    The Kree Supreme Intelligence plans things naturally. As the artificial group holding an empire’s greatest minds, its task is expanding that empire.

    The Supreme Intelligence faced its downfall in the '90s inCaptain Marvel, and it has plotted ever since. The modern Kree Empire, seen inGuardians of the GalaxyThe Supreme Intelligence appears to rule an emperor. Comic book history suggests any Kree emperor is likely a puppet of the Supreme Intelligence. A Supreme Intelligence that has stepped away is even more worrying. If it seeks revenge, its target is probably Earth.

  • 13
    Thunderbolt Ross Won’t Ever Stop Trying To Control Superheroes

    General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross is the first surviving antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has seen everything the MCU offers and dedicates himself to controlling superheroes. Ross hunts the Hulk, ratifies the Sokovia Accords, and oversees security at the Raft. Ross seeks to control the superhuman trigger. He has not given up this goal just because he appeared at Tony Stark’s funeral inAvengers: Endgame.

    Thunderbolt Ross acts as an opportunist. Opportunities exist with major players like Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff, who are no longer around. Someone must guide the new generation of heroes. Ross will likely try to fill that role. This might look like a government-sponsored superteam with his nickname, or it might be something more sinister.

  • 14
    The Tinkerer Is On The Lam And Hooked On Heists

    Phineas Mason seems out of place among the MCU's big movers and shakers. He differs greatly from his comic book counterpart, the Tinkerer. Mason mostly lives as the least confident member of Adrian Toomes’s criminal enterprise. He is the only member of that enterprise who avoided prison afterSpider-Man: Homecoming.

    A closer look at Mason shows someone addicted to the thrill of heists. Mason constantly pushes the Vulture to take bigger risks. He finally targets the big one: Tony Stark’s flying moving van. Wherever he is now, Mason likely remains involved in crime. He might live up to his comic book image by equipping super-criminals with his stolen alien tech and secretly encouraging them into bigger heists.

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