Thor: Ragnarok - 25 Marvel Villains We Want to See in Thor 3

The ending of Thor: The Dark World promised that Thor will return. Of course he will, and he is going to need someone to fight. The thing is, Thor: Ragnarok could very well be the thunder god's final cinematic battle...at least in terms of solo films. Thor has some awesome enemies in his list of mythic, nefarious, and sometimes human rogues, some of them well known, and others (perhaps thankfully) are somewhat forgotten. This could be our last chance to see some of these characters make it to the big screen.

If Marvel Studios is listening, here is a list for future possible villains to take on Thor, the Warriors Three, the Lady Sif, Heimdall, and the combined might of Asgard united!

25. The Crusader

Created by Alan Zelenetz and Bob Hall

First Appearance: Thor #330 (1983)

Between Loki, Malekith, the Destroyer, and Kurse, Thor has had his hands full with mythic threats from all over the Nine Realms. What he has yet to face is a worthy human adversary. One of the most fascinating aspects regarding Thor is the perception that he's a god (although Odin is quick to dismiss this in Thor: The Dark World). How would this change established world religious views?

Charles Blackwood is a modern day warrior of the Biblical God. He is sworn to protect the world from any and all pagan symbols. Imagine a film Crusader as part of a Westboro Baptist Church type organization sworn to destroy Thor (God hates gods?). Crusader’s power stems from his unwavering faith in his God, a power that diminishes if he ever questions his Lord. How would Crusader’s faith hold against Thor?

A cinematic clash of modern day Crusaders and Asgard could be pretty intense if pulled off correctly. The Crusader might not be Thor’s biggest marquee baddie but there is a lot here to work with thematically.

24. Bloodaxe

Created by Tom DeFalco and Pat Oliffe

First Appearance: Thor #449 (1992)

Ah, Bloodaxe, the perennial Thor villain of the '90s, that magical era when it was law that every new character had to have blood, wind, rage, or axe in his name. But Bloodaxe is actually pretty cool with a connection to one of Thor’s greatest foes, Skurge the Executioner (more on him later).

The coolest twist surrounding Bloodaxe is that he is actually a she! A woman named Jackie Lucas, lover of mulleted hero Thunderstrike, was secretly cursed by the Axe to become Bloodaxe. The character could be a nice lead in to the coming of Skurge. But it’s probably best to keep Thunderstrike away from the Marvel Movie Universe...the non-geek world is not ready for our '90s shame.

23. Mangog

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Thor #154 (1968)

While usually a benevolent race, the Asgardians and Odin’s past sins are many. Odin himself once committed genocide against the Vanir, a rival race of beings that warred with the Asgardians. Mangog is a creature made up of the rage of the billions and billions of Vanir that Odin slew.

Mangog is Odin’s sins made flesh, and a chance for Sir Anthony Hopkins to shine as Odin’s past crimes come home to roost. Mangog is one of Jack Kirby’s more nightmarish and striking designs and would make a fearsome image on screen.

Later on in Marvel lore, Mangog was a minion of none other than Thanos! Hello, Marvel Phase Three, Mangog is waiting.

22. Radioactive Man

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #93 (1963)

One of Thor’s oldest foes, Radioactive Man, aka Chen Lu, is another Earthbound villain. A loyal Chinese soldier, the Radioactive Man purposely exposed himself to radiation in order to serve his country better as a super-agent. It was established in the Avengers film that the world’s governments started freaking out when Thor arrived on Earth.

The Radioactive Man could be China’s response to Thor’s arrival. Radioactive Man can show film audiences the political ramifications of having a being like Thor around and allow the usually fantasy-based franchise to explore some new themes and conflicts. As a recurring Avengers villain and a member of the Thunderbolts, Radioactive Man certainly has the cache to warrant a future film spotlight.

21. Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #86 (1962)

A time-traveling despot from the 23rd Century, Zarrko could introduce the element of time travel into the cinematic Marvel Universe. You just know Kang will show up sooner or later in the Avengers films and Zarrko’s presence can be a precursor to that inevitable main event.

Listen, it would be Thor versus an evil freaking Doctor Who, what more do you need to know?

He was one of Thor’s earliest villains and has been used to great effect recently by Mark Waid over in the pages of The Indestructible Hulk, proving the villain translates well in the modern era. Thor and Asgard versus an evil Time Lord. Film It!

20. The Mongoose

Created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz

First Appearance: Thor #391 (1988)

Y’know what…no, I can’t do it. I made Zarrko work, but I can’t work miracles.

The Real #20: Fafnir

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Thor #134 (1966)

Another product of Odin’s relentless smiting, Fafnir was the last survivor of an evil race that used a mystic pool to transform himself into a mighty dragon. Fafnir has a power set that sets him apart from more mundane dragon adversaries (I’m looking at you, Fin Fang Foom) as he has the ability to cast illusions and shape-shift.

Thor’s encounters with Fafnir as rendered by Jack Kirby resonate to this day with eyeball-punching power and would translate well into film. Fafnir has been a pawn of Loki and Kurse so he does have ties to established film villains. Plus, hello, Kirby dragon!

19. Karnilla, the Norn Queen

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #107 (1964)

A frequent ally of Loki, Karnilla can be a way to finally introduce Balder the Brave into the cinematic world of Thor. Karnilla can kind of be seen as the female Loki (except when Loki is the female Loki), a powerful sorceress with a chaotic nature and a huge ego. She is deeply in love with Balder and would do anything to win his affections while the hapless and innocent Balder is addled by her attentions, an amusing and complex dichotomy between the two Thor mainstays.

Karnilla is directly responsible, along with Loki, in granting powers to the villainous Wrecker, another villain ready for a film appearance. Her cunning, beauty, and love of Balder make Karnilla a multi-faceted threat to Thor and company.

18. The Worthy

Created by Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen

First Appearance: Fear Itself #2 (2011)

There are seven of them, they all have hammers, and they are all established Marvel badasses working for the Serpent. In the comic crossover event Fear Itself, the Serpent was the daughter of the Red Skull using dark Asgardian magics to bring fear and darkness to Earth in order to punish Odin, and transformed some Marvel mainstays into the Worthy to do it. 

A familial connection to the Skull is certainly doable in the Marvel Movie Universe and, while not all members of the Worthy would be available to Marvel films, like the Thing and the Juggernaut, the idea of familiar heroes and villains corrupted by dark magic would certainly make for an intense film. Imagine audience reaction when the Hulk is revealed as Nul, Breaker of Worlds and goes hammer to hammer against Thor, and just replace the Thing with the Abomination and we have ourselves a movie.

17. Cobra and Mr. Hyde

Created by Stan Lee and Don Heck

First Appearance: (Cobra) Journey Into Mystery #98, (Mr. Hyde) Journey Into Mystery #99

The dual villainous threat of Cobra and Hyde plagued Thor throughout the Silver Age. Hyde is currently appearing on Agents of SHIELD season two, a show that hasn't been shy about its ties to the Thor end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so that's handy. Marvel has used classic monsters as heroes and villains for decades, putting a cool pop art, modern spin on them.

Imagine, the criminal duo wreaking havoc in the Nine Realms or used as earthly agents by Loki to make life miserable for Jane, Darcy, and Dr. Selvig. Hyde and Cobra are classic Marvel gold, and what worked so well in the Silver Age would surely translate well to screen.

[related article: Malekith and Kurse - The Villains of Thor: The Dark World]

16. Grey Gargoyle

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (are we sensing a pattern here?)

First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #107 (1964)

He’s an artist and he’s French. Who hasn’t dreamed of hitting a French artist with a hammer? Seriously, in the pages of his Invincible Iron Man, writer Matt Fraction proved how terrifying a nihilist with the powers of turning someone to stone can be.

The Gargoyle received his powers through the ever-popular chemical accident but the film can make him a minion of Loki or any other Asgardian puppet master, or a struggling artist trying to get publicity by turning a god into a statue. As Marvel’s Medusa (but French), the Gargoyle has been a joke for too long and deserves some respect. There’s a worshipping false idol joke here somewhere, but I’m not finding it.

15. Lorelei

Created by Walt Simonson

First Appearance: Thor #337 (1984)

We will, of course, get to the Enchantress later, but let us not overlook Lorelei, sister to Amora. Lorelei pines for Thor and is a frequent ally of Loki, who loves to pester Thor by helping Lorelei try to win Thor’s heart. Picture a film with Amora and Lorelei using their powers of seduction to make Thor’s new life on Earth a mess, or the two sisters waging a war on Nine Realms with Thor’s heart as the prize. Plus, Lorelei has already made an apperance on Agents of SHIELD, so this should be a pretty easy jump to the big screen.

Lorelei and Loki share a complex backstory as told by the great Walt Simonson and she is an awesomely deep character in her own right. Her presence would make the already complex love triangle between Thor, Jane, and Sif that much more complicated. Or maybe just make her Loki’s lady love, because you just know Loki’s pimp hand is mighty.

14. Pluto

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

First Appearance: Thor #127 (1966)

Now that audiences are more than comfortable with the concept of the Asgardian gods existing side-by-side with humanity in the Marvel Universe, it might be time to explore the other pantheons. The Clash of the Titans and Percy Jackson films have certainly primed audiences for more mythology. Now, crossover those Greek gods with Thor and the Asgardians and you have one wholly unique storytelling experience.

In the Marvel Universe, Pluto’s status of god of the underworld can bring into play the nature of death in the Nine Realms and allow Kevin Feige and company to bring Hercules into the fold. Who says Ragnarok only has to effect Asgard? Maybe Thor can save Hercules from Pluto’s realm, or Hercules and Thor are forced into a competition by Loki and Pluto? Whatever the case, the Greek gods getting showcased in Thor is a natural progression as each installment branches out into new realms...and offers Marvel more spinoff opportunities down the road.

13. Mephisto

Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema

First Appearance: Silver Surfer #3 (1968)

Yeah, Mephisto appeared in Ghost Rider, but it doesn’t count because it was Ghost Rider. Mephisto started out as a Silver Surfer villain but has become an all-purpose tempter that has plagued all the heroes of the Marvel Universe, including Thor. What price would Thor pay to make to make Jane immortal?

Mephisto has entered into pacts with Loki and Hela over the years, and let’s face it, what fan would pass up seeing Thor versus the Devil versus Loki on the silver screen? A duel of liars with Thor in the middle. Film…This!

We've broken this article up across two pages because of all the images on it. The top 12 Thor villains we want to see on screen can be found on the next page...