What surprise villain does Ross Marquand play in Avengers: Infinity War?
By Paul Zuniga
The Walking Dead’s Ross Marquand has finally found the perfect role in the MCU, though no one could’ve predicted him taking on this particular role.
When the name Ross Marquand comes up, most people are familiar with his role on The Walking Dead and his world renown impressions but things are going to change. Now that Marquand has taken on an integral in the MCU, he’ll become known as the newest iteration of the Red Skull. Marquand made his first appearance as the Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War, picking up where Hugo Weaving left off.
When we first see him, the Red Skull is guarding an Infinity Stone on the planet of Vormir. He encounters Thanos who’s is seeking the Soul Stone. The Red Skull then explains the cost of attaining the stone, elaborating on how the cost of wielding an Infinity Stone isn’t worth the power received. Thanos is surprised by what the Red Skull tells him but he isn’t phased.
Shortly after, Thanos throws Gamora off a cliff, sacrificing her to the Soul Stone. The stone then appears to him and he attaches it to the gauntlet. After this exchange, the Red Skull doesn’t appear again. It’s unclear if he remained on Vormir or if he found a way off the rock but the Red Skull’s resurgence likely means we’ll see more of him.
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Whatever those plans consist of, the Red Skull will probably find a way back to Earth — that is if he doesn’t set his sights on the universe instead. Avengers: Infinity War did indicate that the Red Skull gained much knowledge in his time on Vormir so the conquest of one world might be insignificant. Keep in mind that he also grew more humble in his time away, evidenced by the demeanor in which Skull spoke of the Infinity Stones. Of course, he could be hiding his true motivations.
Where will the Red Skull show up next?
Nevertheless, Marquand is likely going to return as the Red Skull in Avengers 4. The film will be a continuation of Infinity War, making it quite feasible for further exploration of the Red Skull’s story. Who knows, he could even become a member of Tony Stark’s space Avengers. Although, that may be hoping for too much.
If anything, the most plausible scenario will see the MCU’s timeline rewritten while the Red Skull returns to his proper place in history. In doing so, he’ll never venture to Vormir and his involvement in Hydra will continue beyond WWII. The Avengers 4 set photos have shown Captain America (Chris Evans) back in the 1940’s, so maybe the Red Skull is back, too.
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Even if that’s not the case, there are nine untitled movies in Marvel’s next phase of films, one of which could see Red Skull tangle with Captain America or another hero. My guess is another Captain America film is on the way and it’s there that Red Skull will make his grand reintroduction to the MCU.