Quentin Beck/Mysterio
I absolutely love Jake Gyllenhaal and was thrilled to see him in Spider-Man: Far From Home, but even considering my personal feelings for the actor, his character’s death couldn’t come soon enough. Though Mysterio (real name Quentin Beck) is a unique antagonist, his manipulative ways deceive Spider-Man and it’s impossible to trust him once you know the truth.
Mysterio’s main goal as a villain is to make people believe he’s a renowned superhero to gain the recognition he thinks he deserves. He uses holographic technology to create illusions, pretending that he must fight and defeat them. Seeking out Spider-Man, he convinces him that he’s the superhero the world needs now that Iron Man is gone.
Mysterio only lasts one movie, getting shot by his drone during a confrontation with Spider-Man in Far From Home. But even his limited appearance in the MCU is too long; he tricks poor Peter Parker who is grieving the death of Tony Stark, and it’s too much for us to take. He’s a coward.
VERDICT: Didn’t die soon enough
T’Challa/Black Panther
This one still hurts. One of the best characters in the history of the MCU is T’Challa/Black Panther, the king of the African nation Wakanda. Making his debut in Captain America: Civil War, the beloved character got his own movie in 2018 and also appeared in Infinity War and Endgame.
T’Challa is not only an impressive warrior but also a highly intelligent and inspirational leader. He’s committed to his country and his people, and his personal struggles and growth prove he’s a multi-dimensional character. Tragically, Chadwick Boseman passed away in 2020 at the age of 43 after a battle with colon cancer. His death was a major loss, not only to the MCU but also to the entertainment industry as a whole.
Boseman’s legacy as T’Challa lives on in the MCU, and it’s explained in the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever, that the character passed away from an illness. Fortunately, Marvel Studios decided against recasting the role.
It goes without saying both the actor and the character were taken from the world far too soon. Rest in peace, Chadwick Boseman.
VERDICT: Died too soon