What characteristics define an anti-hero? They typically reject traditional heroes, are endearingly gruff, and may even have a criminal past. Given everything, it is difficult for them to be hailed as a hero.
The MCU has a lot of characters who operate in the grey area, but it also makes some pretty clear distinctions between heroes and villains. Fans prefer heroes that can be identified with, therefore people are drawn to figures who aren’t flawless good guys or the antithesis of evil.
Bucky Barnes — The Winter Soldier
Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) gentle and courageous closest buddy, played by Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, made his film debut in Captain America: The First Avenger. He constantly defended Steve and made an effort to keep him out of trouble. Steve considered Bucky to be a real hero because of his participation in World War II. As the film came to a close, Bucky appeared to be dying by falling.
When he was discovered to be alive in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he wasn’t the same. Hydra had brainwashed him, transforming him into the murderous The Winter Soldier. He eventually made it out, was set free from his indoctrination, and joined The Avengers in battle. Despite being a good man, Bucky never quite overcame his reputation as an anti-hero. He still suffers with his troubled past and is a trained assassin.
Deadpool — Mercenary Turned X-Man
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson, begins his career as a hired gun. Wade consents to participate in an experiment that disfigures him and leaves him for dead in an effort to treat his disease. Once he transforms into Deadpool, his only objective is to track down and assassinate Francis (Ed Skrein), the person who did this to him.
Colussus (Stefan Kapii’s voice) begs him to join the X-Men so he can use his mutant DNA for good, but he declines. Deadpool kills Francis near the end of the fight despite Colussus’s pleas for him not to.
In Deadpool 2, where he reluctantly joins the X-Men following the loss of his fiancée, Wilson makes a pledge to be more heroic next time and is forced to deliver on that promise. He claims that she would have wanted him to. Wilson creates the X-Force and nearly gives his life to save young mutant Russell (Julian Dennison).
Hulk — “I’m Always Angry”
Bruce Banner (Edward Norton from 2008 through Mark Ruffalo and after) never intends to be evil, but the situation is different for the “green guy.” The Hulk first appears in his own film in 2008 before making an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Avengers. He is a hesitant hero in this movie because he is intimidated by his potential. When the green man has taken over in Age of Ultron, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is the only one who can make him calm down.
Bruce Banner is a decent person who always attempts to save the day and looks out for others. He makes an effort to act like the Hulk, but occasionally things go out of his hands and he ends up doing more harm than good. Bruce gradually learns to accept the darkness within of him, and he can even function as the Hulk without constantly being angry.
Loki — The Trickster With a Good Side
In Thor, Tom Hiddleston played Loki, the envious younger brother of the movie’s hero who plotted to usurp Asgard’s throne. His subsequent appearance was as the major antagonist in The Avengers. After the attack in New York, it’s difficult to claim that Loki is fully redeemable, but his redemption arc shows he’s at least trying.
After losing his mother in Thor: The Dark World, Loki underwent major upheaval. In order to save Asgard, he worked with Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who believed his brother had passed away at the end of the film. He returned as an erratic ally in Thor: Ragnarok. Even though he was occasionally selfish, he demonstrated that he does love his sibling and has genuine intentions. At the start of Avengers: Infinity War, as he attempted to fool Thanos (Josh Brolin), his heroic adventure came to an end.
M’Baku — A Challenger Turned Ally
The head of the Jabari Tribe, a group of Wakandans who opt to live in seclusion in the mountains, is Lord M’Baku (Winston Duke). He challenges T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) to become King of Wakanda in Black Panther and nearly succeeds, but ultimately loses. Even though M’Baku opposes T’Challa be ing King, he is not necessarily a bad guy.
M’Baku grudgingly accepts to aid in the defeat of Killmonger when T’Challa approaches him in order to save Wakanda. M’Baku might have joined forces with Killmonger to overthrow T’Challa and take control of Wakanda, but he cares more about his tribe than himself. To further demonstrate that he is more of a hero than a villain, he battles alongside The Avengers in Infinity War and Endgame.
Nebula — Sibling Rivalry
The adoptive daughter of Thanos, Nebula (Karen Gillan), has always been at odds with Gamora (Zoe Saldaa). She soon comes to the realisation that she really does love her sister, which inspires her to make positive changes.
Nebula joins forces with the Avengers to stop Thanos once she accepts that he was responsible for making her detest Gamora. Although Nebula is an improbable hero, this just serves to increase the audience’s affection for her. She continues to be practical and direct, but it doesn’t stop her from being every bit as valiant as the other Avengers.
Rocket — Bounty Hunter Turned Hero
Rocket, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy, is a feisty, armed member (voiced by Bradley Cooper). With the assistance of his companion and comrade Groot, he begins his career as a criminal, taking up bounties (voiced by Vin Diesel). They first encountered Peter Quill while attempting to apprehend him, and they are only working together with him in order to split the revenue from the sale of Quill’s orb. Rocket grudgingly contributes to the victory when they realise that the orb is an infinity stone that has the potential to wipe out the planet.
Even after killing a monster, Rocket grabs some batteries to sell because he never truly wanted to be a hero. He enjoys playing pranks on others, as evidenced by the time he convinced Peter to steal someone’s limb during their escape. Overall, Rocket is a kind guy who tries to do the right thing, but as long as he’s having fun, he doesn’t care how he goes about it.
Venom — The Sassy Symbiote
When Venom made his villainous debut in Spider-Man 3 in 2007, he was first revealed outside of the MCU. A human host body is usually required for Venom, an alien symbiote, to live. The first body he attaches himself to is that of Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). He unites with Eddie Brock and is finally discarded by Parker (Topher Grace).
Depending on who links with the symbiote, Venom can be either a hero or a villain. Although he tries to be good, the alien frequently has self-centered motives and doesn’t always accomplish what his host body requests. Eddie and Venom, both portrayed by Tom Hardy in Sony’s Venom movies, combine to become the ideal anti-hero. Venom is a naive alien that doesn’t want to be bad but nonetheless wants to feast on human flesh, while Eddie is a lost soul in need of instruction. Although they both want to improve, they are only motivated by their own ambitions.
Wolverine — The Best There Is At What He Does
Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of the stern, cigar-smoking mutant known as Logan, sometimes known as the Wolverine, is a favourite among X-Men fans. He typically prevails in combat thanks to his retractable adamantium claws. He makes his debut in X-Men and joins the group reluctanly in order to save Rogue and defeat Magneto.
Wolverine is a dark, depressed guy who prefers to keep to himself, despite the fact that his deeds more often than not portray him as a hero. In order to rescue the day, he also doesn’t mind spilling some blood, giving him full anti-hero status.
Yondu — The Lovable Ravager
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Yondu (Michael Rooker) is introduced as Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) adopted father. Although he was intended to give Peter to his biological father, he decided to keep him around because he was a valuable member of their squad. It may appear at first that Yondu was only using Peter, but in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Yondu reveals that he does consider Peter to be his son by giving his life to save Peter.
Yondu, who is ultimately a reluctant hero in the first Guardians movie, gains his reputation as an anti-hero in the sequel. When the other Ravagers turn on him and he must work with Rocket and Groot to flee, he starts to make amends. His passing represents the ultimate act of bravery.
