The X-Men are on their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and several of their foes are perfect to make the jump alongside them.

The X-Men have been one of Marvel’s most beloved franchises for generations due largely to the popularity of the mutants, who are now synonymous with the superhero team. While Marvel’s mutants were introduced to the big screen in Fox’s first X-Men film, released in 2000, the uncanny heroes have yet to make a full appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to well-publicized issues concerning the rights of the franchise.

However, that is all set to change with Marvel regaining the rights to the mutants and already featuring cameos by mentor Professor Xavier and founding team member Beast in two of their recent films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels. With the X-Men confirmed to be arriving in the MCU sooner rather than later, the time has finally come to consider which villains should be chosen to oppose the heroes when they finally jump to the big screen. Fortunately, the mutants have a wide and varied assortment of villains who would not only present them with a viable threat but also be a great fit for what has already been established in the onscreen universe.

10. The Brood

The Brood are an extraterrestrial race of insectoid creatures who have served as some of the X-Men’s most vicious (and deadliest) foes. Seemingly inspired by the Alien film series, these vile creatures survive by infecting other organic beings with their seed, which then explodes from their hosts after reaching full maturity. The Brood has proven capable of infecting both humans and mutants. They can only be expelled through drastic means, such as Wolverine’s powerful healing factor, Captain Marvel’s cosmic-powered abilities, or the Scarlet Witch’s magic.

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe already exploring the outer reaches of space through film franchises like Captain Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy, a group of dangerously feral aliens capable of overtaking bodies would likely be a good fit. However, the similarities between these creatures and the Xenomorphs seen in the Alien franchise might make these villains a bit too familiar to be featured onscreen – although the mid-credit scene of the latest MCU film, The Marvels, may suggest otherwise

9. Cassandra Nova

Cassandra Nova is the twin sister of the X-Men’s founder and mentor, Professor Charles Xavier – and a living example of the dark nature hidden beneath the professor’s altruistic demeanor. Recognizing her as an evil presence in the womb, her brother attempted to kill her; however, Cassandra was able to survive undetected for years, biding her time and honing her power. Cassandra Nova has several abilities that make her one of the X-Men’s formidable foes, including telepathic and telekinetic skills on par with her brother’s. Additionally, she has proven to be incredibly resourceful, being single-handedly responsible for one of the greatest blows to the entire mutant population, the Genoshan Decimation, which was the cause of millions of casualties.

This powerful X-Men adversary would fit well into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for many reasons. Nova allows for complex storytelling due to her origin (although it may be triggering for some audiences) and is a dark opposite of Xavier, a common theme in the film universe. Additionally, her vast powers and control of sentinels present an opportunity for a story conclusion that mirrors the large battle sequences seen in films such as The Avengers. It has previously taken the combined might of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the X-Men to defeat her and her forces, presenting the perfect opportunity for the two teams to meet onscreen finally. Interestingly, Cassandra Nova is rumored to be the villain slated to appear in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film.

8. Emma Frost

Although she has since become a respected (and fan favorite) member of the X-Men, Emma Frost was initially introduced as an adversary and rival to Professor Xavier. Frost served as a threat on two fronts, as a member of the elite Hellfire Club and also as the headmistress of the Massachusetts Academy, a twisted counterpart to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters that housed their own team of mutants called the Hellions, who were not quite as heroic as the professor’s students.

Emma Frost’s story of being born into wealth, giving in to corruption, and ultimately finding redemption would surely play out well on the big screen, as would her position as a mirror counterpart to Charles Xavier. Additionally, her team of Hellions could serve as a way to introduce even more mutants to the MCU. At the same time, her relationship with Iron Man connects her to the overall cinematic universe.

7. The Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard was introduced during the X-Men’s classic “Phoenix Saga” and has since made a name for itself throughout the galaxy. Although they are not villains per se, they are the protectors (and enforcers) of the alien Shi’ar Empire, a position that has oftentimes placed them at odds with various heroes from Earth, both mutant and otherwise.

The MCU has spent considerable time developing stories that span the galaxy, and as such, the Imperial Guard could easily fit into what has already been established. Additionally, the leader of the Guard, Gladiator, is a powerhouse pastiche of DC’s Superman, making him the perfect adversary for the Avengers’ Thor. The team could serve as a segue for introducing the Shi’ar into Marvel’s onscreen universe.

6. Magneto

The X-Men’s transition to the MCU would not be complete without including Magneto, one of their oldest (and most complex) foes. The Mutant Master of Magnetism has one of the most sympathetic origin stories of any villain ever seen in the Marvel Universe, and his stance on protecting mutants is virtually identical to that of Professor Xavier, even if his means are decidedly less than noble.

Magneto is a no-brainer for entry into the MCU besides the X-Men, as he was not only their very first opponent but has also interacted prominently with the heroes already seen in the cinematic universe. It has also recently been revealed in the comics that Tony Stark has nightmares about facing Magneto in battle, attesting to the mutant’s level of power. Additionally, Magneto could single-handedly pose a very serious threat to the Avengers, with his powers effectively canceling out armored heroes like Iron Man and War Machine and rendering Captain America’s shield, Falcon’s wings, and possibly even Thor’s hammer useless.

5. Mister Sinister

Although his name is a bit on the nose, Mister Sinister has come into prominence as one of the X-Men’s most cunning (and entertaining) foes. While many of the villains the mutants encounter come across as sympathetic and understandable, Sinister is the picture of pure evil, with the ultimate goal of becoming the most powerful being in the universe. He is every bit as sinister as his name implies and even more flamboyant, making him a villain that X-Men fans truly love to hate.

Sinister’s entertaining persona makes a move to cinema very appropriate, and his skill as a geneticist and scientist fits well with villains who have already been introduced into the MCU. Additionally, his roles in the X-Men’s ongoing Krakoa saga and the recent Sins of Sinister event established him as a worldwide threat, and his role as the mastermind of the X-Men’s original “Mutant Massacre” would firmly establish him as a viable threat if that story is ever retold on the big screen.

4. Nimrod

Nimrod is the ultimate version of the mutant-hunting Sentinels, establishing itself as one of the X-Men’s deadliest foes when it decimated the latest incarnation of the team at the onset of “Fall of X” during the third Hellfire Gala. The robot has proven to be as powerful as it is deadly, defeating one of the strongest X-Men allies, the Juggernaut, in hand-to-hand combat and almost destroying the Omega-Level mutant Iceman.

Nimrod has proven to be a threat to more than just the mutants, as it represents the end of humanity’s struggle for dominance against A.I. Additionally, the Avengers have already faced a similar threat in the MCU courtesy of Ultron, making them that much more likely to side with the X-Men in the dispelling of this foe who is strong enough to take on the likes of both Thor and the Incredible Hulk.

3. Omega Red

Even though he has maintained a deep connection to Wolverine since his introduction in the ’90s, the villain known as Omega Red is an established antagonist to the X-Men and has ties to the overall Marvel Universe as well. Most notably, he was created through experiments conducted by the Soviet government to create a super soldier akin to Captain America, who has already been well-established in the MCU.

In addition to his connection to the Super-Soldier program, Omega Red makes sense to be introduced as a Soviet assassin meant to replace Bucky Barnes’ Winter Soldier since he defected to the Avengers in the MCU. Furthermore, the villain’s uncanny ability to drain the life force of his enemies through contact with his unbreakable tendrils means that he would likely threaten virtually any enemy he faces regardless of their respective power levels.

2. Orchis

While Orchis is the latest in a series of mutant-hating organizations designed to plague the lives of the X-Men (first appearing in 2019’s House of X #1), they have already proven to be one of the most dangerous. Comprised of various agencies such as S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, A.I.M., and even the F.B.I. and C.I.A., Orchis sees mutants as a severe threat to the continued existence of humanity. It has taken on a mission of complete eradication of the X-gene.

The mission of Orchis would translate well to the MCU, considering that certain factions of humanity are sure to feel threatened when the existence of mutants is finally revealed in the cinematic universe. Furthermore, this could lead to team-ups similar to what has been seen recently in the comics, with Captain America and other Avengers forming a group alongside several mutants to combat the threat.

1. Weapon X

Weapon X is a government-run genetic research facility responsible for experiments that produced agents such as Wolverine, Deadpool, and Sabretooth. This program is a successor to the Super-Soldier program that led to the creation of Captain America. However, the methods employed by Weapon X are much more horrifying and inhumane.

Introducing Weapon X to the MCU alongside mutants makes sense, considering that the government would likely seek a means of creating their own superpowered operatives after the rise of heroes such as the Avengers. This also hearkens back to Marvel’s Ultimate Universe (which the cinematic universe has drawn from in the past) that featured the X-Men captured by the program and subjected to horrifying experiments.