Antony Starr Reveals His Favorite Villain and Fans Aren’t Surprised
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced numerous antagonists over the years, but few have captivated audiences like Thanos. The Mad Titan, brought to life by Josh Brolin in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ stands out as one of the MCU’s most iconic villains, thanks to his complex motivations and philosophical views on balance and sacrifice.
What makes Thanos particularly intriguing is his steadfast belief that his horrific actions are for a greater purpose. This conviction extends beyond the screen, influencing how storytellers and performers discuss him.
Thanos delivered his philosophy with a sense of conviction, often resembling a prophet rather than a conqueror. His blend of intelligence, menace, and warped logic creates a villain who is both terrifying and fascinating.
His most memorable lines, such as “I am inevitable” and “Perfectly balanced, as all things should be,” have become part of pop culture, igniting genuine philosophical debates among viewers. Unlike many superhero villains, Thanos is not driven by a mere hunger for power; instead, he believes that his mission serves destiny itself. This distinction between villainy and perceived salvation is what makes him such a compelling character study.
Antony Starr, the actor known for portraying ‘The Boys’ iconic villain Homelander, recently shared his admiration for Thanos’s approach to villainy.
In a recent WIRED interview, Starr expressed his thoughts on what makes the MCU’s Mad Titan unique. Thanos doesn’t just gloat; he delivers his memorable lines with calm, matter-of-fact conviction, reshaping reality to prove a point and demonstrating that his power extends beyond the physical to the existential. Starr’s comments suggest he sees parallels between Thanos’s approach to villainy and his own portrayal of Homelander.
My favorite villain, and I keep mentioning Marvel. But my favorite villain of recent memory is Thanos, because I think he was doing a horrific thing, but he had such a good philosophy behind it, about like balancing the universe.“
“And there’s a little part of me that’s like, He’s got a pretty good point, you know? I don’t think Homelander has anywhere near the same philosophy or intention. But you know, the point being, like, he’s complex. You know, there’s more to him than just the bad guy. And I think people respond to that.”
This comparison is not entirely unexpected. Starr has referred to Homelander as a “cautionary tale,” illustrating what happens when power is disconnected from empathy, accountability, or self-awareness. He embodies a contradiction at the heart of ‘The Boys’—the strongest man in the world who is paradoxically its most fragile.
Both villains operate from a place of twisted internal logic, each convinced their actions serve a greater purpose. What sets Starr’s respect for Thanos apart is the philosophical underpinning; the Mad Titan articulates a structured worldview regarding resource depletion and cosmic balance, rather than hiding behind narcissism.
As Starr approaches the final chapter of ‘The Boys,’ his recognition of Thanos’s appeal sheds light on how modern television and film have transformed the villain archetype into something far more intellectually stimulating. Do you find yourself sympathizing with any villain’s philosophy, or is that line too far to cross for you?