Mads Mikkelsen has cut himself a little niche in Hollywood as a host of magic-wielding villains such as Kaecillius in Doctor Strange and Geralt Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series. While Marvel has been reportedly in talks with the actor for the role of Doctor Doom, yet another magic user in the MCU, Mikkelsen might be breaking tradition and be in the talks of playing another Marvel villain, with the potential of replacing Kang as the next big villain.
Mikkelsen would be a perfect fit for Galalctus, the world-devouring cosmic entity in the Marvel Universe, rumoured to debut in the MCU with the Fantastic Four soon. Mikkleson’s Galactus could be a strange choice for the Fantastic Four debut, given that Dr. Doom is a much more iconic villain for Marvel’s first family, but that does not mean the Galactus could get some much-needed stakes back in the MCU.
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Mads Mikkelsen could solve the villain problem for the MCU
Kaecilius was a villain that did not carry over to another film, a problem that has been prevalent in the MCU. However, there is no way that Marvel would treat characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom the same way other villains have been treated. Also, given the mileage these characters have in the comics and how much they contribute to their respective universes, Marvel might keep them around for a while, without outright turning them into antiheroes.
Mikkelsen also comes with some important star power, having played many versatile characters, making him the perfect choice to play Galactus. It must be noted that the character of the world eater is an antagonist and not an outright villain, making it a perfect fit for an actor like Mads Mikkelsen, which could also contribute to bringing some serious storytelling back to the MCU, sort of like a fusion of the eccentricity of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and the gritty realism of Captain America.
Galactus and Doctor Doom would re-centre the MCU
Whichever role Mikkelsen ends up essaying, it could work towards recentering the MCU. Given that the recent phases of the MCU have received only a lukewarm response, the blame has allegedly fallen on the lackluster worldbuilding, that has made the entire franchise feel a little disconnected and fracturing under the anticipation of the fans.
Given that Marvel has neatly wrapped up the villain for the next few phases with Loki, and given Secret Wars is still on the cards for the MCU, introducing Doctor Doom and Galactus as a Thanos-level villain would be a brilliant way to get the franchise back on track.
Mads Mikkelsen, with roles like Hannibal Lecter and Geralt Grindlewald, definitely can carry the franchise as its villain. Whether it is as Doctor Doom or as Galactus, the actor is versatile enough to play the force of nature that is the world eater or the sorcerer-scientist ruler of Latveria who is out to make the world a better place, albeit through questionable means. However, given that Doom orchestrated 2015’s Secret Wars, it would make sense for the character to be the next villain for the Avengers (and assorted superhero teams) to face.
