Marvel Studios Can Redeem Its Most Problematic Villain (& Another MCU Villain Showed the Way)

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One of the major selling points of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is how it tried to layer its villains with nuance. There were some misses, of course, like Malekith and Kaecilius, among the many. But Marvel Studios tried to course-correct by adding depth to the likes of the inciting Loki, the diminutive Thanos and the prolific Killmonger.

A more problematic villain, however, has been the Red Skull. He debuted in Captain America: The First Avenger, but in the early stages of the MCU, he came off as cheesy and just seeking a weapon without much character to him. However, there is now a way that Marvel Studios can make him a more interesting personality, while even finding a path to atonement. It’s all thanks to theWhat If Season 3 finale.

The MCU’s Red Skull Became a Ghoulish Guardian

The Red Skull Was a Stonekeeper on Vormir

The Red Skull (aka Johann Schmidt) fought on behalf of the Nazi and Hydra movement in World War II. He sought the Tesseract (aka the Space Stone), but after trying to use the destructive cube, the Infinity Stone placed him on Vormir. There, he had two crucial journeys: first, he was tasked by the relic with guarding the Soul Stone. He then advised Thanos that a loved one would have to be sacrificed to get it in Avengers: Infinity War. It led to the Mad Titan killing his adopted daughter, Gamora, and going on to enact the Snap.

Red Skull did the same to Hawkeye and Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame. Their time heist led to Natasha dying and the Avengers reversing the genocide. Notably, the Red Skull remained down the middle. He seemed repentant, but there was still a cruel air to him as he revered his purpose guarding the gem.

Red Skull Comic Details

Marvel has stated he is free to leave Vormir and pursue his own path once the sacrifice has been made. In this new timeline, he can chase weapons again. But he can seek a higher calling: redemption. As for the reason he would pursue the latter and not the former (as one would assume) lies in What If…? Season 3.

What If Season 3’s Infinity Ultron Has a Similar Red Skull Story

The Red Skull Could Atone and Refine His Johann Schmidt Persona

What If Season 3’s Infinity Ultron is another variant who had all the Infinity Stones. He completed the goal the Season 1 variant wanted: killing everyone in his reality. Infinity Ultron then pondered his fate in what was an existential crisis. Like other Ultrons, he thought culling everyone would bring peace and expose the beauty in life. But after spending ages alone, he realized that it’s the flaws and disorder of life that made people appreciate things a lot more. Without chaos, there cannot be love.

In “What If… What If?,” Infinity Ultron understands his iron fist and lust for power took away the meaning in life, as it just won’t be the same without the bad and the good. Red Skull can follow a similar approach whenever or wherever he pops up. He could shock fans by subverting the comics and genuinely wanting to create better change. He spent so much time in isolation and offered wisdom to everyone who came to him. Red Skull may well regret trying to bend reality to his own selfish desires.

In essence, he was in confinement, punishing himself to the point that he could be ready for a U-turn. This is an enticing prospect that could see him using powers and rewards for being an honest sentry on Vormir. He may end up traipsing around the galaxy, perhaps with the Guardians of the Multiverse that Captain Carter left behind for the Watchers to use. He could also head to another universe in the Multiversal War in Avengers: Secret War and Avengers: Doomsday once more incursions and dimensional breaches happen.

The MCU is mixing things up by bringing Chris Evans back in an undisclosed role and using Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. The stage is now set to flip the script and have the Red Skull continuing his mission to protect realities the way Infinity Ultron did when he joined Captain Carter’s team. It would be with a different actor, Ross Marquand instead of Hugo Weaving, but it would match his story as a Stonekeeper. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be that ridiculous a notion, because Loki got a second chance and became a hero. If the Red Skull wants to unearth his humanity again and rectify his past, the MCU has shown that, like Infinity Ultron, a personal restart can occur once the subject really wants to make amends and inspire hope.

All three seasons of What If…? are streaming on Disney+.

“}]] The Marvel Cinematic Universe can follow a What If Season 3 twist and help redeem one of the mainstream villains who has been underdeveloped.  Read More