Marvel Studios Confirms 9 Major Marvel Villains Will Return In 2026

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Marvel fans have a lot to be excited about in 2026! Marvel Studios has officially announced that nine well-known villains will be returning in several new series on Disney+. The announcement came during a panel at New York Comic-Con in 2025, where Marvel shared a sneak peek and details about upcoming seasons of VisionQuest, Daredevil: Born Again, X-Men ’97, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

Marvel Studios is planning a big year for Disney+ in 2026, with a variety of new live-action and animated shows. The year will start with Wonder Man in January, then continue with the second season of Daredevil: Born Again in March. Viewers can also look forward to the second season of X-Men ’97 in the summer, the return of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in the fall, and the new series VisionQuest later in the year.

Fans can expect to see Jon Bernthal reprise his role as the Punisher in a special appearance, possibly before or after his character appears in Spider-Man 4 next July. Beyond introducing new heroes and storylines, 2026 will also bring back several well-known villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – including some favorites and characters who haven’t been seen in a long time.

9 Major Villains MCU Villains in 2026

Ultron

A major highlight of NYCC 2025 was the announcement that James Spader will reprise his role as Ultron in the upcoming series, VisionQuest. According to showrunner Terry Matalas, the relationship between Ultron and Vision will be central to the show’s story.

This is Robert Downey Jr.’s first time appearing in a live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe film since 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Sources say he’ll play the character in both robot and human versions.

The upcoming story, VisionQuest, will focus on White Vision as he tries to piece together who he is. Ultron will play a key role in this process, pushing White Vision to change. It’s currently unknown how Ultron has reappeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Kingpin

Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, will return in Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again. He made a quick appearance in a trailer previewed at NYCC 2025.

Wilson Fisk, New York’s powerful and unforgiving mayor, is cracking down on vigilantes with a relentless task force. In 2026, his growing political influence combined with his physical strength will make him the biggest challenge for Matt Murdock as he continues to fight for justice.

Vanessa Fisk

Ayelet Zurer is back as Vanessa Fisk in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, making this her second role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after appearing in the original Netflix series. Initially, the role was recast, but Zurer has returned. This season, Vanessa will have a bigger impact on New York City, actively helping Wilson Fisk carry out his dangerous plans, despite a strained relationship between them in the first season.

Bullseye

I’m so excited to hear Wilson Bethel is coming back as Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again! From what I’ve seen in the trailer, he’s going to be even more terrifying this season. He’s clearly embracing the darkness, and there’s this one shot of him smiling with blood on his face – it’s chilling, but exactly what you’d expect from such a dangerous villain. I can’t wait to see what he does this time around!

After the dramatic events of Season 1, Dex—who amazingly survived a dangerous fall due to his reinforced spine—is still out there, plotting revenge against Mayor Fisk and Vanessa.

Bethel shared that the second season will delve into previously unseen aspects of Dex’s character, suggesting a more intense and erratic version of him.

Magneto

Magneto is back in Season 2 of X-Men ’97, continuing his complex relationship with the X-Men – sometimes helping them, sometimes opposing them. The first season ended with him and the team facing Apocalypse in ancient Egypt, and the new season will delve deeper into his motivations and the difficult choices he makes as he forms new and changing partnerships.

The X-Men are lost in different time periods, and with the powerful Apocalypse rising as a major danger, Magneto’s choices will be crucial to helping the mutants get back to the 1990s.

Apocalypse

In Season 2 of X-Men ’97, Apocalypse is back as the main villain. After a brief but impactful appearance in ancient Egypt at the end of Season 1, he’ll fully transform into his classic form, complete with his signature costume and all of his incredible powers. The X-Men will face a huge challenge battling his strength and intelligence across different eras.

Norman Osborn

At New York Comic Con 2025, Brad Winderbaum, head of Television and Animation, announced that Norman Osborn will be back for Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. He’ll continue to be a complicated figure in Peter Parker’s life, acting as both a mentor and someone who sometimes tries to control him.

Season 2 begins after the events involving the symbiotes in Season 1. Norman Osborn finds remnants of these creatures, similar to Venom, and decides to exploit them for his own purposes.

Otto Octavius

Doc Ock, also known as Otto Octavius, will be back in Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Recent footage from New York Comic Con suggests he’ll be causing trouble for Peter Parker.

Doc Ock appears with other key villains like Norman Osborn and Venom, suggesting he’ll play a major role in the season’s storyline.

Symbiote/Venom

Fans can expect to see Venom appear as an animated character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. The season will pick up a storyline hinted at in Season 1’s finale, involving remaining Symbiote creatures.

At New York Comic Con 2025, Winderbaum announced that a dangerous new villain will be challenging the young Spider-Man, and fans have a lot to look forward to.

Although this animated version takes place in a different universe than the main live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, it hints at the possibility of seeing more of the symbiote character in future installments.

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2025-12-20 10:36