Supervillains are typically the weakest when they are evil just because. The most memorable antagonists believe that they are right, even when their actions become the most horrid.
That’s why the actor behind ‘The Boys‘ most menacing villain, Antony Starr thinks that Thanos still has a hold on people years after ‘Avengers: Endgame’.
Antony Starr Thinks Thanos Worked Because Marvel Made Him More Than Just Evil
Talking about iconic villains, Starr said that Thanos did terrible things, but some people still find the character’s philosophy interesting. In the MCU, Thanos actually thought that if he could kill half the universe, he would be able to keep the universe from collapsing due to overpopulation and limited resources.
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It’s a moral argument that many viewers obviously don’t like. But Starr noted that the logic behind it is what makes the villain interesting. “He was doing a horrific thing, but he had such a good philosophy behind it about balancing the universe. And there’s a little part of me that’s like, “He’s got a pretty good point,” he told Wired.
That complexity is one of the many reasons why Thanos is one of the most revered villains in Marvel. He was not just playing for power or for destruction. He thought he was saving life itself in his own twisted way. Interestingly, the same multi-layered writing also helped to make Homelander more than just another evil Superman parody in ‘The Boys’.
Homelander And Thanos Couldn’t Be More Different, But They Work For The Same Reason
While comparing the two villains, Starr made it clear that Homelander is not as worldly or as intent on his goals as Thanos. “I don’t think Homelander has anywhere the same philosophy or intention, but the point is, he’s complex. There’s more to him than just the bad guy, and I think people respond to that.”
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While Thanos is motivated by warped idealism, Homelander is mostly motivated by narcissism, insecurity, and a desperate need for love and control. Still, both characters are successful because the audience can see the human weaknesses that lie beneath the monster.
That’s especially true with Homelander. In five seasons, ‘The Boys’ has gradually revealed the violence, isolation, and emotional fragility lurking behind his menacing facade. He is ruthless and terrifying, but also very pathetic.
The MCU has done something similar with Thanos. Following the death of half the universe in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, fans still had their doubts about the validity of some of his points. There aren’t many blockbuster villains that inspire such conversation.
With just two episodes of ‘The Boys’ left, there’s a lot of interest in whether Homelander will be given a similarly memorable ending as Thanos. It’s a very high standard to meet, particularly when you think about how memorable Thanos’ last battle with Tony Stark is.
However, if there’s one thing Starr clearly understands, it’s that the best villains are never completely simple, and audiences remember them because of it.
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