Follow us on Google News

Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed

The transition from good to evil has fascinated writers for centuries. Forcing characters to dance on the line of morality has always intrigued audiences more than two-dimensional characters with simple moral compasses. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is well-known for administering such dilemmas to their viewers through the characters they make.

Chris Hemsworth and his Marvel co-stars in a still from The Avengers | Marvel Studios

Be it Kilmonger inBlack Panther, Thanos’ noble motivations to wipe out half the universe, or the execution of the Punisher’s justice, it is difficult for fans to condemn some villains when their motivations are so complex. Despite this, there are a few characters that have stayed consistent over the years, even though the law would disagree.

Five of the main six Avengers have managed to always have a strong moral compass, ever since the 2011 film, and these traits have stayed consistent. However, it would seem that their actors have played parts that juxtapose their iconic roles.

Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Oppenheimer

From Avengers to Antagonists

The main six Avengers seem to have seriously switched up their alliances after they stepped away from the franchise. Soon after his exit as Tony Stark,Robert Downey Jr.played the closest thing to a villain in Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer.It is safe to say that the insecure scientist that was Lewis Straus, is as far away as one can get from the genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist.

Scarlett Johanssonwas in a similar boat. Although Natasha Romanoff, perhaps, had the most flexible moral compass out of all the Avengers, she always did the right thing at the end of the day and was haunted by the instances when she didn’t. Johansson’s character inThe Jungle Bookwas completely different in this, playing the role of the secondary antagonist, Kaa.

Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Credits: Marvel Studios.

Chris Evansalso followed suit, playing the role of Ransom the murderer in Daniel Craig’sKnives Outthe same year he stepped away from being the almighty Steve Rogers.Mark Ruffalogot an Oscar nomination for his work as the main antagonist ofPoor Things. While the Hulk was no saint, his motivations came from insecurity, rather than malice, unlike Duncan Wedderburn in the Emma Stone film.

“He’s literally better”: X-Men ’97 Did the Most Infamous $1.4B Avengers Movie Better, According to DoomBlazer

Finally, the latest addition to this club isChris Hemsworth, who, after playing the role of Thor Odinson, is playing the main villain ofFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga.

Harvey Dent’s Words Taken Too Seriously By the Avengers

While Christian Bale’sThe Dark Knightis an iconic film in every way, several lines stood out for many viewers. One line about morality and the difference between a villain and a hero has seriously fascinated fans because of how true it is. The district attorney of Gotham, Harvey Dent, posed a theory of sorts that either one dies a hero, or sticks around long enough to turn into a villain.

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

“He’s literally better”: X-Men ’97 Did the Most Infamous $1.4B Avengers Movie Better, According to DoomBlazer

The hypothesis was fitting coming from him, as he turns into Two-Face later in the film. However, there is no denying that the icons who played the main Avengers found themselves in similar situations at convenient points in their careers. After stepping away from the good, even dying while they were doing so, they all eventually turned to evil.

“These guys can take a punch and sell a joke”: 2 Avengers: Endgame Stars Accidentally Helped Glen Powell Become a Huge Superstar

Although some of the actors are going to continue to play their Marvel roles, the pattern cannot be missed, and the coincidence is quite fascinating.

Ananya Godboley

Senior Writer

Articles Published :2219

Ananya Godboley is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows, with over 2,000 articles published. She has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology from K.R. Mangalam University, Ananya also likes to fangirl as a full-time job. She covers news and analyses on anything from Rick and Morty to Hannibal and even Arcane. In between these lines, she also enjoys superheroes and Taylor Swift.A philosophy enthusiast, Ananya enjoys digging deeper into the media she consumes, trying to understand the root of her favorite characters' behavior.

More from Ananya Godboley

I’m 100% Sure Harley Quinn’s Funniest Superman Scene Is a Modern Family Homage

Ranked: Every Superhero Team Confirmed For Avengers: Doomsday vs RDJ’s Doctor Doom

Is The Rainmaker Based on a True Story? The Real-Life Inspiration Behind the USA Network Series

The Batman 2: Is Zoë Kravitz Not In the Robert Pattinson Starring Sequel? Reports

17 Years Later, This Iron Man Scene Was the Darkest MCU Moment No One Realized

When Is Absolute Flash #6 Coming Out? Release Date, Plot Prediction & Everything We Know

‘The Serial Killer’s Apprentice’: How Dean Corll Was Murdered by His Own “Friend”

Is Apple TV+’s Carême Renewed for Season 2? Details Inside

Chris EvansChristian BaleRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett Johansson

Aaron Eckhart played Harvey Dent / Two-Face in The Dark Knight