His primary legacy is the introduction of the Aether, the first Infinity Stone to be explicitly identified as a remnant of the universe’s creation, setting the stage for the cosmic stakes of Avengers: Infinity War. While the character was killed during the film’s climax, the legacy of his deception has persisted through multiple phases of the MCU. While his defeat via a dance-off became a point of contention for some viewers, Ronan’s legacy is bolstered by his connection to the Power Stone and his early defiance of Thanos (Josh Brolin), which helped set the stakes for Avengers: Infinity War. The Red Skull himself made a shocking return as the Stonekeeper on Vormir in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, now voiced by Ross Marquand. Unlike many other early villains, Bucky’s journey continued through a long-term redemption arc spanning Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the television series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.