The Marvel Universe is filled with countless villains, many of whom seem perfect for a live-action MCU adaptation. Since launching in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced fans to a wide range of iconic antagonists, and with Marvel’s comic catalog so rich, there’s no shortage of villains left to explore on screen.

However, not every villain is suited for the MCU. Marvel is no stranger to publishing dark, often horrifying comics, but the movies have clearer limits on what can and can’t be shown on screen. Those boundaries aren’t nearly as strict in the comics, which is why they’re free to explore more graphic, disturbing content without restraint. The MCU, however, plays by different rules. If a story or character doesn’t fit within the PG-13 framework designed for broad, family-friendly appeal, it may simply be too disturbing for the big screen. With that in mind, here are eight Marvel villains that are far too R-rated ever to get a MCU debut.

8

Menace is the Most Terrifying of Spider-Man’s Goblins

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #550 by Marc Guggenheim, Salvador Larroca, Stephanie Peru, and Cory Peтιт

The MCU has already incorporated the Green Goblin, borrowing the character from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, and Ned Leeds’ sheer existence opens the door for him to one day fulfill his comic book destiny as the Hobgoblin. The Marvel Universe is home to a wide ᴀssortment of Goblins, but one of the oft-forgotten members of this unofficial Goblin family is a more morally gray figure, better known as Menace.

Menace surfaces during Spider-Man’s “Brand New Day” arc, immediately making an impact by nearly killing Spider-Man in their first encounter, just to prove she could if she wanted to. Her appearance ranks among the most disturbing of all the Goblins. In her debut, the skin around her mouth appears to be deteriorating, and her glowing yellow eyes bulge beneath mᴀssive horns. It’s hard to imagine how such a devilish look could ever translate into a kids’ movie.

7

Death-Stalker’s Powers Are Too Petrifying for Marvel’s Audience to Handle

First Appearance: Daredevil #39 by Stan Lee, Gene Colan, George Tuska, and Artie Simek

It can never be overlooked that Stan Lee created some of Daredevil’s strongest villains, but he also contributed to some of the most disturbing additions to Matt Murdock’s rogues’ gallery. One such disturbed antagonist is the Philip Sterling iteration of Death-Stalker. Initially, when he went by the pseudonym The Exterminator, he was an average, run-of-the-mill baddie, but he underwent a drastic transformation after stealing schematics from the A.I.M. organization. Using them to craft his special “touch of death” gloves, he would become the Death-Stalker.

What separates the two idenтιтies is that, as the latter, Sterling can kill in seconds with a single touch. While his appearance may not be as disturbing as that of other candidates, the concept of ending someone’s heartbeat in an instant with just skin contact is inherently evil, and it’s a concept MCU viewers may not be ready for.

6

The Skinless Man Isn’t PG Enough for the MCU

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Force #21 by Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini, Dean White, and Cory Peтιт

Harry Pizer was a Cold War-era mutant whose powers made his skin incredibly elastic and stretchable. However, he would be rechristened by the Weapon Plus program, which removed his skin entirely. This allowed his muscles to expand on a molecular level, but it also made him absolutely vile to look at. As grim as The Skinless Man appears in comic book form, just imagine how he could be portrayed in live action. The sight would certainly be too grisly for a kid-friendly audience.

MCU movies are rated mainly PG and PG-13, but a man without a shred of skin using a knife to carve up his victims feels like a character bordering on R-rated territory. While the success of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool and Logan has made an R-rated MCU movie more plausible, this particular villain might be too depraved for even that.

5

Mr. Smile Inspires a Frown from Anyone

First Appearance: Dr. Strange #5 by Mark Waid, Kev Walker, Java Tartaglia, and Cory Peтιт

Mr. Smile is another villain who may not be suitable for Marvel’s predominantly PG-13 audiences. His top hat and the expressive mouth across his pale white face are reminiscent of The Babadook, one of the eeriest big-screen villains to emerge in the last decade. His elongated body, chin, and wingspan, combined with piercing eyes, are all unsettling to some degree. The demon doesn’t come alone, either; he’s basically a package deal with his best mate, Mr. Sulk. In contrast to Smile’s Joker-like grin, Mr. Sulk carries a blank stare with him at all times, lacking any hint of expression.

Debuting in 2020, the duo’s existence has been brief, with even fewer appearances in the comics. It’s their uncanny, unsettling character design alone that has sustained their lifespan. They just look unabashedly creepy, even before considering what they’re capable of and what makes them dangerous.

4

The Thousand Will Give MCU Fans a Thousand Reasons to Scream

First Appearance: Spider-Man’s Tangled Web #1 by Garth Ennis, John McCrea, James Hodgkins, Steve Buccellato, and Wes Abbot

Everyone thinks spiders are creepy, but nobody ever finds Spider-Man creepy since he’s far more man than spider. Canonically, he doesn’t even shoot organic web fluid from his body (except for that one time he endured a disgusting transformation), so he’s avoided most of the gross aspects of being a spider. However, he does have one villain who is more spider than man, someone who takes all the grossest qualities of a spider and amplifies them by 1000. Carl King’s attempts to duplicate Peter’s radioactive spider bite resulted in something much worse, creating a hive mind of spiders.

These spiders swarm in groups of about a thousand, all joining forces to eat away at other humans before wearing them as a walking meat suit for disguise. It’s a concept that sounds more like something out of a Stephen King novel than a superhero adventure.

3

The Cave Inn Monster: Marvel’s Unnamed, Walking Nightmare

Ghost Rider #2 by Benjamin Percy, Cory Smith, Brent Peeples, Roberto Poggi, Oren Junior, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Travis Lanham

Unlike other villains in contention, this is a monster that technically doesn’t have a name. The ancient being’s true name is considered too complicated to translate into English. Instead, its actions and appearance speak for themselves. When Johnny Blaze stops at a motel in Idaho, the last thing he expects to walk in on is a sacrificial ritual. The motel’s owner spends considerable time spying on guests through hidden mirrors before luring them to the cave dwellings to be sacrificed to the inn’s local monster.

In the cavern, this horrid, eyeless behemoth makes an impression by eating a man in front of his wife and child on the first page of his appearance. It’s a one-off creature that leaves a lasting impact, but it’s unlikely to ever resurface in an MCU movie. Such a monstrous presence and the accompanying ritual driven by hunger are more fitting for a horror film than an MCU action movie.

2

Skin-Bender Is a Skin-Crawling Twist on Sailor Moon

First Appearance: Ghost Rider #35 by Jason Aaron, Tony Moore, Dave McCraig, and Joe Caramagna

Ghost Rider’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅliest villains tend to look as nightmarish as their powers suggest. It’s a classic case of judging a book by its cover and being right every time. However, one instance where a Ghost Rider enemy doesn’t look the part of a fearsome threat is the Skin-Bender. While her name is undeniably creepy, her appearance (at least at first glance) resembles something out of the Sailor Moon roster. In fact, her look is directly inspired by Sailor Venus. That being said, as her true abilities are revealed, she begins to show her true, terrifying nature on-panel.

Skin-Bender is a flesh demon witch who can twist another person’s body and turn their skin inside out, molding it to her liking. The visuals that manifest her powers are grotesque. Even harder to watch is how her own body slowly shifts into different shapes, as she is immune to flames.

1

Parents Would Never Let Their Kids See an MCU Movie Starring FREAK

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #552 by Bob Gale, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Jeromy Cox and Cory Peтιт

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to bring Spider-Man: Brand New Day to the big screen, but one moment fans shouldn’t expect the MCU to adapt is the creation of Freak. While the MCU certainly has the opportunity to introduce Freak, given that the drug addict is a regular at Aunt May’s F.E.A.S.T. shelter, an organization established in the Home trilogy, it’s a long sH๏τ, especially considering how disturbing his overall appearance is. Once he ingests biohazardous chemicals created by Dr. Curt Connors (a.k.a. The Lizard), Freak’s flesh begins melting away with each pᴀssing issue.

Honestly, it’s a gross sight. His body continues to evolve, or rather devolve, on every page, exposing his skin further with each deterioration. Freak’s character design is perfectly stomach-churning, but it’s too disturbing for an MCU movie about a web-slinger that parents would want to take their children to see in theaters.

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