10 Most Misunderstood MCU Heroes

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is littered with heroes, but some have been notably misunderstood by audiences. Throughout the entire MCU timeline, numerous superheroes have been introduced in the battle against equally persistent foes. These heroes are taken right from the pages of Marvel Comics, adapting beloved characters from well-known stories. Nevertheless, certain heroes have garnered unfair or inaccurate reputations.

Many Marvel characters have proven themselves as misunderstood. Loki‘s dramatic season 2 ending saw the God of Mischief cement his shift to the heroic, while sympathetic villains, such as Gorr in Thor: Love and Thunder, have provided complex characterizations that prompt debate over their villainous actions. Though these examples bode well for future MCU movies and their characters, several established MCU heroes remain misunderstood. Whether it is vital comic book context lost in the adaptation, or because of the MCU’s dense and richly layered stories, some misconceptions regarding the pantheon of heroes prove far more potent for some characters than others.

10 The Hulk Isn’t As Dumb As People Think

Played By Edward Norton & Mark Ruffalo

It’s easy to dismiss the Hulk as an oafish brute, but this isn’t entirely accurate. This perception largely comes from the difference between his intellect and his alter ego, the celebrated scientist Dr. Bruce Banner, along with the fact he is ruled by his emotions, specifically rage. However, the Hulk himself has shown signs of intelligence in the MCU and Marvel Comics.

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Hulk recognizes the danger he poses to Black Widow and nobly isolates himself, which he achieves by piloting a Quinjet. Later in Thor: Ragnarok, the Hulk can maintain genuine conversations with Thor and displays increased emotional range and a sense of humor. The Hulk may not be the smartest hero in the MCU, but he isn’t the lumbering dolt many assume.

9 Captain Marvel Deserves More Respect

Played By Brie Larson

Carol Danvers has been unfairly misused in the MCU, and as a result, she has not received the respect she frankly deserves. In the comic books, Danvers was originally established in the 1970s, where she initially used the moniker Ms. Marvel as she began to establish herself as one of Marvel’s stronger and more integral heroes. She played a pivotal role in several massive comic book narratives in Avengers and X-Men, before ultimately triumphantly assuming the title “Captain Marvel” in 2012. However, Captain Marvel’s MCU appearances have been poorly received.

Danvers’ role in Avengers: Endgame was reduced to deus ex machina – returning just in time to bring down Thanos’ warship moments before it overwhelmed the heroes. This prompted audiences to question what would have happened if she’d remained with the Avengers throughout the movie and what this meant for her role within the team. This – combined with the mixed reception to Captain Marvel and The Marvels – have created a fairly lukewarm reception for a character who should be widely lauded as a respectable and iconic Marvel hero.

Played By Paul Bettany

In Marvel Comics, Vision is often a far more robotic entity compared to his MCU counterpart. Vision has not infrequently been characterized as quite a frosty figure, slightly detached from humanity and interested in his own self-agency. However, the MCU Vision is arguably more heroic. He bears much more emotional depthand displays awareness of the potential threat his existence poses. Vision routinely prioritizes heroic behavior over his safety, even imploring Wanda to kill him before Thanos can retrieve the Time Stone from his forehead. The fact he could lift Thor’s hammer Mjölnir is a testament to Vision’s elevated morality and relative humanity in the MCU – though he’s often still misunderstood as little more than a robot.

7 Scarlet Witch Faced Immense Tragedy

Played By Elizabeth Olsen

Wanda Maximoff has had a tragic backstory in the MCU, but some of it has been forgotten during her descent to villainy in Doctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wanda’s first major on-screen trauma was her brother Piotr’s death in Age of Ultron, which consequently left her without anybody who understood her turbulent upbringing before joining the Avengers. In the comics, Wanda is a mutant and the daughter of the infamous supervillain Magneto. Wanda even worked as part of his Brotherhood of Mutants before joining the Avengers and was noted for her immense power.

In the MCU, when Wanda finally understood the extent of her powers in WandaVision and became the Scarlet Witch, she had to sacrifice her husband, Vision, for the second time. This left her completely alone once more, making her particularly susceptible to the corrupting allure of the Dark Hold. It’s no wonder Wanda returned to desperate villainy in an attempt to create some semblance of a family in Multiverse of Madness – despite the fact that the movie’s depiction of her moral turn left many viewers confused.

6 Iron Man Is Actually Deeply Troubled

Played By Robert Downey Jr.

While it’s not fully touched upon in the MCU, in Marvel Comics, Tony Stark is an alcoholic, with some integral storylines like Demon In A Bottle detailing his struggles with addiction and his efforts to come to terms with it. This forms a lot of Iron Man’s comic book characterization, as Tony often hides his integral struggles by compensating with arrogance and a self-assured attitude. As the MCU never really hit on this as prominently, aspects of Tony’s characterization are here instead forced to play out via different means, which can make them in some ways easier to misinterpret.

For example, throughout the MCU, Iron Man repeatedly injures his left arm, which is repeatedly shown to cause the hero issues throughout the rest of the franchise despite his generally carefree attitude. Similarly, a common theme in the MCU is Iron Man’s deep-rooted fear of Thanos’s arrival. This is first seen in The Avengers when Iron Man flies through the portal and witnesses the army that the team will inevitably face, as Stark is obviously shaken by the experience,and it drives many of his subsequent decisions – despite presenting them as the product of arrogant confidence.

5 Groot Has Great Emotional Depth

Voiced By Vin Diesel

Groot often finds himself misunderstood despite his gentle nature and unwavering loyalty. Initially introduced as a supporting character in Guardians of the Galaxy, Groot’s limited vocabulary – solely consisting of the phrase “I am Groot” – adds a layer of mystery to his character. While this linguistic limitation may lead others to perceive him as simplistic, Groot’s actions and emotions reveal a profound depth. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Groot sacrifices himself to save his newfound friends, demonstrating earnest emotion. It is especially exemplified in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, when the audience is finally able to understand Groot’s language, and the successor to the original Groot says, “I love you guys.”

4 Namor Is A Misunderstood Anti-Hero

Played By Tenoch Huerta Mejia

In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Namor (also known as the Sub-Mariner) is a complex anti-hero. The ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, Namor’s actions are often misinterpreted as intentionally antagonistic due to his fiercely protective nature towards his people. Despite being a powerful ally in times of crisis, his methods and priorities diverge from traditional superhero norms. Namor’s commitment to Atlantis sometimes places him at odds with surface dwellers, leading to misunderstandings regarding his true motives. Namor is a multifaceted character who is often characterized as both a hero and a villain in the comics, challenging the simplistic dichotomy of hero and villain.

3 Red Guardian Struggles With His Identity

Played By David Harbour

The Red Guardian, Alexei Shostakov, is marked by notable identity issues. As the former Soviet super-soldier and counterpart to Captain America, Alexei grapples with a sense of displacement in a world that has evolved beyond his Cold War origins. Red Guardian’s once-heroic legacy is clouded by the shifting political landscape and changing allegiances – which he missed while he languished in prison. In Black Widow, the Red Guardian showcases the internal conflict between his patriotic past and the reality of a world that has moved on, all as he attempts to reconcile the fact he lost his family – before he knew how much he needed it.

2 Werewolf By Night Is An Afflicted Hero

Played By Gael García Bernal

Werewolf by Night is endowed with a curse that transforms him into a werewolf under the full moon. This leads him to grapple with a dual sense of identity – both beast and human. His affliction, initially perceived as a monstrous curse, belies the internal struggle he faces. Misunderstood by society and other superheroes, Werewolf by Night battles prejudice and fear as he seeks to control the primal forces within him. Werewolf by Night’s story echoes themes of isolation, identity, and the fine line between humanity and monstrosity. While his lycanthropic nature may evoke terror, beneath the fur and fangs lies a tortured soul yearning for acceptance and redemption.

1 Moon Knight’s Mental Illness Is Often Misrepresented

Played By Oscar Isaac

Moon Knight’s Marc Spector is depicted with dissociative identity disorder, having multiple personalities that include Steven Grant and Jake Lockley. His intricate mental health issues are frequently misinterpreted, and Moon Knight’s vigilantism is often perceived as erratic. Misunderstood by both allies and adversaries, Moon Knight’s shifting identities allow the MCU to explore the stigmatization and misconceptions surrounding psychological disorders. Spector’s internal battles blur the lines between reality and fiction, as Moon Knight’s tale becomes a poignant commentary on the intricacies of mental health – and the isolation that accompanies being misunderstood in the MCU‘s world of heroes and villains.

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