Kevin Feige Teases Mephisto’s Return
While Ironheart failed to generate the same level of excitement as previous MCU Disney+ shows, the series featured the debut of an iconic Marvel villain, whom fans have been clamoring about for years.
I am, of course, talking about Mephisto.
Source: Marvel
Fans Have Been Waiting
As the mystery of WandaVision unfolded in 2021, the prevailing theory among fans online was that Mephisto was behind Westview and the supernatural events occurring there.
Photo: Marvel Studios
When that ended up not being the case, fans were convinced that Mephisto was behind the Witch’s Road in Agatha All Along, pulling the strings behind the curtain. Perhaps in reference to this theory, Jennifer Kale speculated that someone in the series was an “agent of Mephisto.” The thought was that Marvel’s devil would appear at the end of the journey.
Once again, however, Mephisto did not appear.
Over the years, fans have also speculated that Mephisto would appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, or perhaps even Moon Knight. Obviously, that was not the case.
Source: Marvel Studios
Then, he showed up in Ironheart.
Mephisto’s Arrival
By the end of the series, Mephisto has been revealed as the “man” behind Hood’s powers. He then strikes a deal with Riri Williams that seemingly transports her to another universe. The story of Ironheart then ended with Mephisto still at large and Riri seemingly in his debt.
Photo: Marvel
The question is what will Marvel do with Mephisto now?
Kevin Feige Weighs In
During a recent press conference, Marvel head Kevin Feige discussed Mephisto’s long-awaited entrance into the MCU
According to Feige, Mephisto was never going to appear in WandaVision. The speculation about his debut, however, caught Marvel’s attention.
Source: Marvel Studios
“He was never part of WandaVision. We’ve talked about that. Matt’s talked about that. Jack Schaefer’s talk about that. He was never part of WandaVision,” Feige explained.
“But the enthusiasm with which he was theorized on that was certainly cool and fun to watch. And he’s another character that, pre-MCU, would have been hard to do. He’s a devil. How do you do that character?”
When asked if Marvel had future plans for Mephisto, Feige confirmed that they do.
“Yes,” he said. “He was a big part of Thanos’ storyline in the comics. So again, now that he’s here, the potential is clear.”
What’s Next?
Looking at Marvel’s output post-Endgame, it is clear that Mephisto, not Kang, should have served as the latest “big bad.”
With the Doctor Strange franchise, the supernatural story of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the release of Werewolf by Night and Moon Knight, and the rise to prominence of Wanda Maximoff and Agatha Harkness, Mephisto would have been a natural choice as the overarching villain.
Source: Marvel Studios
Now, it will be up to Kevin Feige and his team to figure out how to capitalize on Mephisto’s arrival and Sacha Baron Cohen’s starpower.
