History AdaptationalHeroism / LiveActionFilms

* ''Film/{{Beauty and the Beast|2017}}'': In the original animated film, [=LeFou=] was a sycophantic PluckyComicRelief sidekick to Gaston who is directly involved in his raid on Beast's castle and comes dangerously close to killing Lumiere with a torch. In this LiveActionAdaptation, he does retain his sidekick role, but he displays a real moral compass and [[spoiler:betrays Gaston after he leaves Maurice for dead]].

** ''Literature/MaryPoppins'' is far more strict and stern in the original novels. [[Film/MaryPoppins The film]] makes Mary Poppins more of a SugarAndIcePersonality, to the degree that the original author thought Mary Poppins was too nice in the film.

* ''Film/FutureCops'' is basically a comedic parody film of the ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' where they got the alignment of some characters reversed. One of the heroes, Ti Man, played by Creator/AndyLau, is based on Vega, who in the game proper is actually a sadistic, dangerous TheFightingNarcissist and one of the game's villains.

* ''Film/FirstBlood'' does this with is the signature character, John Rambo. In [[Literature/FirstBlood the original novel]], Rambo was a purely villainous character, driven insane by the trauma of his experiences in Vietnam. The film, meanwhile, portrays Rambo in a much more sympathetic light, with a stronger emphasis on GrayAndGrayMorality that makes the fugitive veteran more nuanced and understandable than just an AxeCrazy CopKiller. In fact, because he was portrayed much more sympathetically on celluloid, not only is Rambo SparedByTheAdaptation, but he also ended up becoming the star of a [[Franchise/{{Rambo}} one of the most well-known action franchises]] of the 1980's.

* Several film adaptions of ''Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', most blatantly the [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame Disney movie]], apply this trope to the principal characters (Quasimodo, Esmerelda, and sometimes Phoebus) and [[AdaptationalVillainy invert]] it with Claude Frollo (omitting his capacity for compassion and creating selfish motives for his initial actions). In the 1923 version, however, this trope is played straight with Claude, whose evil side is given instead to his brother Jehan.

** In ''Film/SpiderMan2'', ComicBook/DoctorOctopus is rewritten a good man turned into a monster by an accident, and he even [[RedemptionEqualsDeath dies heroically]] in the films' climax.
** The Green Goblin is less sympathetic, but gets a [[spoiler:dying]] moment of decency that would be utterly foreign to the comic-book version of ComicBook/NormanOsborn. Though at the very least prior to being the Green Goblin, Norman was shown to be a good man if a bit of an aloof father and stressed businessman, the Goblin formula drove him insane and created a split personality. In the comics, as Peter pointed out, "He was a bad man turned worse".
** The Sandman is similarly softened in ''Film/SpiderMan3'', but this may simply be an adaptation of his heroic, reformed characterization in the 1980s and 1990s. In the comics he makes a HeelFaceTurn, but in the movie, he only ''ever'' stole to get the money needed to save his IllGirl daughter, and departs on good terms with the hero after telling his story. This is... ''not'' how their early encounters went in the comics.

** Comicbook/{{Deadshot}}, ComicBook/HarleyQuinn and several other characters in ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' are portrayed as more moral than their comic counterparts and despite their insistence that they're "the bad guys" but really come off as quite heroic. But the most blatant example is '''ComicBook/TheJoker!''' Of all people, as in comics he's a ChaoticEvil MonsterClown who frequently abuses Harley, in the movie he's a caring boyfriend who risks his life several times to rescue her and succeeds in doing so in the end. [[spoiler: ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'' corrects this, with Joker being portrayed as abusive enough that Harley leaves him. Though even then in the modern comics, he’s chased Harley down and held her captive for “betraying him” whereas in the film he just leaves her alone meaning he’s still far less evil than the comic version]].

* In the comic book story arcs ''Film/{{Aquaman}}'' is based on, [[spoiler:Vulko]] is the GreaterScopeVillain; manipulating Orm, Black Manta and the Trench and provoking an Atlantean attack on the surface that kills hundreds of innocent people, all in order to force Arthur to take the throne. In the movie, he’s TheMentor and an unambiguous good guy, with most of his villainous actions [[AdaptationalVillainy given to]] Orm.

* In the comic book story arcs ''Film/{{Aquaman}}'' is based on, [[spoiler:Vulko]] is the GreaterScopeVillain; manipulating Orm, Black Manta and the Trench and provoking an Atlantean attack on the surface that kills dozens of innocent people, all in order to force Arthur to take the throne. In the movie, he’s TheMentor and an unambiguous good guy, with most of his villainous actions [[AdaptationalVillainy given to]] Orm.

* ''Film/Annie1982:'' [[ActionizedAdaptation In the bridge scene]], Annie is able to be rescued due in part to two separate heroic acts not in the original musical.
** The first is by the other orphans. After Molly overhears Rooster talking about his plan, they try to get out and warn Annie, but are caught and are locked in a closet. With no other choice, they pull off a daring escape through a roof hatch and walk all the way to Warbucks' house in order to raise the alarm. While they don't manage to arrive in time to prevent Annie being taken, their warning is the reason Punjab is looking for her and therefore able to execute his nick-of-time rescue.

** Butch Bowers in the book was a psychotic and racist ex-vet who [[AbusiveParents shaped his son]] Henry Bowers into TheBully that is. In film Butch is a decent police chief who actually prevents Henry from harassing the Losers Club and even stops him from [[BadPeopleAbuseAnimals trying to shoot a cat]]. It's somewhat implied Butch is still abusive to Henry as he punishes him by shooting at gun at his feet and a DeletedScene confirms it, however, WordOfGod claimed that the test audience didn’t react the way he expected them to when they saw that the scene and as a result the scene was cut and thus his father appeared more heroic as a result.
** Among the Losers Club, Eddie Kaspbrak and Stan Uris are much heroic and brave, with their negative qualities lessened. Stan in particular not only stands up for himself against his domineering family [[spoiler: and his DirtyCoward suicide from the book is changed to a HeroicSuicide in the [[Film/ITChapter2 sequel]].]]
** Played with Tom Rogan in ''Chapter Two'' when Beverly tells him about Mike's call from Derry, instead of flipping out like in the book, he is caring and understanding [[spoiler: [[SubvertedTrope however]] when Beverly makes to leave [[BaitAndSwitch he grabs her arm]] revealing he's just as much a violent douchebag as in the book and even tries to violently rape his own wife [[CrazyJealousGuy rather than let her go see this "Mike"]].]]

** Nemesis from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis'' was basically The Terminator: merciless, unkillable, and hell-bent on killing Jill, and with CombatTentacles and a ''nasty'' case of chapped lip to sweeten the deal. Nemesis from ''Film/ResidentEvil'' was [[WasOnceAMan once Matt Addisen]], pulls a HeelFaceTurn and has a HeroicSacrifice when Alice [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight gets through to him]].

* ''Film/ResidentEvil'':

* In the comic book story arcs ''Film/{{Aquaman}}'' is based on, [[spoiler:Vulko]] is the GreaterScopeVillain; manipulating Orm, Black Manta and the Trench and provoking an Atlantean attack on the surface that kills dozens of innocent people, all in order to force Arthur to take the throne. In the movie, he’s TheMentor and an unambiguous good guy, with most of his villainous actions [[AdaptationalVillany given to]] Orm.

* ''Film/AtomicBlonde'' sees this with [[spoiler:lead character Lorraine Broughton--sort of, given the GrayAndGreyMorality of the Cold War.]] The original graphic novel, ''The Coldest City'', sees [[spoiler:her comic counterpart as a double agent for the KGB]], but the film sees [[spoiler:her real employer being the CIA.]]

** ''Film/GodzillaMothraKingGhidorahGiantMonstersAllOutAttack''. King Ghidorah is known throughout the films as Godzilla's archenemy. The Showa Era depicted him a complete villain who gleefully destroyed planets while the Heisei Era was a living weapon of conquerors from the future. However, the version seen in this Millenium Era film is an ancient dragon who served as one of the guardian monsters of Japan, awakening to fight Godzilla to save the world, not to destroy it.
* In the ''Literature/{{Fingersmith}}'' novel, Sue Trinder's family and criminal cohorts are aware of—and the true masterminds behind—the plan to [[spoiler:switch Sue and Maud at the insane asylum, since Maud is actually their biological daughter]]. In the film adaptation ''Film/TheHandmaiden'' they are completely unaware of the plan, and assist Sook-hee (Sue Trinder) when she lets them know what has occurred.

** A small case in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix''. The centaurs have it in for Hagrid after he stops them killing Firenze in [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix the book]] - and Harry and Hermione suffer from guilt-by-association after they carry off Umbridge. This is left out of the film and the centaurs don't go after Harry and Hermione, merely carrying off Umbridge.

* ''Film/LittleShopOfHorrors'': While Seymour Krelbourn isn't exactly a villain in [[Theatre/LittleShopOfHorrors the play]], he's still portrayed as an extremely selfish person who [[MurderByInaction willingly allows two people to die]] to feed an [[ObviouslyEvil obviously untrustworthy]] ManEatingPlant and in doing so impress a girl. It's thus portrayed as LaserGuidedKarma when his trusting the plant costs the girl's life and his own. To fit the film's LighterAndSofter FocusGroupEnding, Seymour's more negative traits are downplayed, and his responsibility for the deaths is decreased - the first is due to being frozen with shock, and the second is a straight-up accident. Additionally, one of his victims - Mr. Mushnik - is made [[AdaptationalVillainy a lot less likable]].

** In the novel, Mary Bennett is a bookworm and a bit of a ShrinkingViolet -- but she is also very ignorant, rude and loves to lecture people. Many of the novel's film adaptations file off the unlikeable parts of Mary, leaving her looking more sympathetic. The 2005 film is a notable example, especially the scene where she cries into her father's arms that she practised the piano all day but couldn't perform at the ball. Mrs Bennett too in the 2005 film, who gets a couple of AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther moments with her husband.
** ''Film/BrideAndPrejudice'' does similar things with Mrs Bennett's {{Expy}} Mrs Bakshi. While still presented as pushy and over-the-top, she gets a few PetTheDog moments. Caroline Bingley's equivalent Kiran is softened greatly too - as she's shown to sincerely enjoy herself at the party where she's introduced, and appears friendlier than her book counterpart.

** Peter himself in the famous burglar incident. In the comics, he'd let the burglar go figuring it just wasn't his problem. That's why it was such a turning point when that guy went on to kill Uncle Ben. The "great responsibility" thing really hadn't sunk in. Here, he lets the robber go because the underground wrestling arena had cheated him, so it feels like poetic justice to him and his mistake is more understandable. This change goes with a change to Peter's personality in ''all'' adaptations - early Spidey could be legitimately hotheaded or arrogant at times and had to grow out of it.

** ''Film/ChildrenOfTheDamned'' was a sequel (kind of) to the original ''Village of the Damned'', that took a much more sympathetic view of the "cuckoos". Granted, these were different individual kids, but clearly a manifestation of the same force that had created the originals. Here, they come across as unsettling, but essentially innocent, and just trying to survive in a world that fears them - sort of like an early version of the ComicBook/XMen or some of the Film/{{Scanners}}.

* Ironically two of Creator/JulieAndrews' most famous roles were the result of this:
** ''Literature/MaryPoppins'' is far more strict and stern in the original novels. [[Film/MaryPoppins The film]] makes Mary Poppins more of a SugarAndIcePersonality, to the degree that the original author thought Mary Poppins was too nice in the film.
** Another Creator/JulieAndrews role - ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries''. Clarisse in [[Literature/ThePrincessDiaries the novels]] is an EvilMatriarch. In the films, she becomes a CoolOldLady.
* ''{{Film/Timeline}}'': Arnaud is changed from a cruel, ruthless warlord into a noble warrior who fights for justice.
* ''Film/Venom2018'': Both the symbiote and Eddie Brock get this. At the time of Venom's origin, Eddie Brock was a danger to himself and others, and with the symbiote attached, spent several years trying to kill and possibly eat Peter Parker. In the film, the symbiote decides pretty quickly that it actually kind of likes Earth, and Eddie is much more heroic and is very quick to restrict the number of people it is allowed to eat and under what circumstances.
* Unlike the comics, where he eventually betrayed ComicBook/ThePunisher, Microchip spends all of his screentime in ''Film/PunisherWarZone'' as still loyal to Frank.

* ''Film/Venom2018'': Both the symbiote and Eddie Brock get this. At the time of Venom's origin, Eddie Brock was a danger to himself and others, and with the symbiote attached, spent several years trying to kill and possibly eat Peter Parker. In the film, the symbiote decides pretty quickly that it actually kind of likes Earth, and Eddie is much more heroic and is very quick to restrict the number of people it is allowed to eat and under what circumstances.

* In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'', Bree is filled with shifty-looking characters, but none of them ever do anything. In the books, Aragorn believes it's Bree-men and not the Nazgûl who sack the Hobbits' rooms and loose their ponies, and later, with the Rangers away at war, at least a couple of them (Harry Goatleaf and Bill Ferny) join up with bandits from the south to cause trouble in and around Bree. In fact, Harry Goatleaf dies challenging the Nazgûl at the Bree-gate in contrast to being implied to be in league with them in the book.

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** The films portray Comicbook/ProfessorX as being more noble and sympathetic than his comic book counterpart, who personifies GoodIsNotNice and is a ManipulativeBastard--one of Comicbook/KittyPryde's most famous lines is [[https://biffbampop.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/xmen_168_2.jpg "Professor Xavier is a jerk!"]] The movie franchise takes the opposite route because Charles is a GuileHero, one of its [[NiceGuy nicest characters]] (he's TheCutie in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' and ''Film/XMenApocalypse''), and even when he occasionally makes the wrong choice, it's understood that he only had the best of intentions. He ''does'' get much more pompous and takes more risks with the X-Men in Film/XMenDarkPhoenix, but this is very short lived. As a result, the cinematic interpretation is much more likable relative to the comics', and Xavier was purposely adapted in such a way that he became Creator/BryanSinger's favourite X-Men character (who is a big sci-fi fan and isn't a comic book reader).
** ComicBook/{{Magneto}} gets a this to a lesser extent while he is undeniably a ruthless AntiVillain, his motivations and interactions with others make him far more affable than the KnightTemplar of the comics. Movie Magneto also has far less of a body count and the people he does kill, all pretty much [[AssholeVictim had it coming]] especially since some of them were literal Nazis, in the comics on the other hand Magneto has [[HeWhoFightsMonsters killed innocent human life]] and uses the “in defence of my race” excuse whenever the X-Men or Marvel’s heroes rightfully call him out on it. ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' goes the extra step further of having Mags willingly save a normal human in a steel mill, in comics while he [[DependingOnTheWriter can]] be sympathetic to human civilians, he still looks down on them and rarely goes out of his way to protect them.
** ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} in the comics is TheStoic leader who became a FallenHero after several morally dubious actions and killing Professor X (albeit triggered by the Phoenix Force) and even at his best Cyke will [[WellIntentionedExtremist do anything]] [[GoodIsNotNice and make any sacrifices]] to safeguard mutantkind. In the films while Cyclops is not above some occasional {{Wangst}}, clinginess and being a dick, he still has far more morality than he does in the comics. The only time he verges on his comic counterpart is in ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' where he is furious and antagonistic towards the professor, [[spoiler: though given Xavier had tampered with Jean’s mind he has every right to be angry]].
** ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} while a JerkWithAHeartOfGold AntiHero at his best in the comics, is still TheBerserker whose quote “The best at what he does, but what he does ain’t pretty“ i.e murder. He’s [[OutlawCouple played the Clyde to Mystique’s Bonney]] for many years, committed several crimes and has killed countless people, many of whom were innocent. Although in those cases Logan usually only killed them by accident, was unaware of what he was doing or was just simply in the wrong state of mind to notice, and he always regrets it after. In the films, Wolverine even during his mercenary or Weapon X days is shown to be a good man who does genuinely care for others besides himself, won’t stand to see helpless people get hurt and doesn’t always need a MoralityPet to inspire him to do the right thing, which is often the case in the comics. Movie Wolverine also antagonises his teammates far less and is more supportive, especially to Charles.
** Comicbook/{{Rogue}} in most other media, comics and cartoons included, is a former member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants who eventually pulls a HeelFaceTurn and becomes a hero. The movies do away with her villainous backstory entirely and have her meet Xavier from the very beginning.
** Iceman is much sweeter and more mature than his comic book counterpart's JerkWithAHeartOfGold[=/=]ManChild persona.
** The first four films in the franchise applied [[AdaptationalVillainy adaptational villainy]] to many mutant characters (most notably [[FanNickname Barakapool]] and ComicBook/{{Psylocke}}), before retconning them into different characters to make room for more fleshed out, comic-book accurate iterations. The opposite was done for the man identified as "Trask" in the third film. Played by Bill Duke, and as the United States Secretary of Defense, he is a bit-part but has no indication of being anything like the genocidal killer robot creator of his comic book counterpart or the later Peter Dinklage character, and his only role in the film is containing the genuinely dangerous mutants like Mystique, Juggernaut and Multiple Man.
** ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'':
*** ComicBook/EmmaFrost gets this, in comics she was a amoral RichBitch who remains [[TokenEvilTeammate cruel]] and aloof even after her HeelFaceTurn to good. In her film debut Emma is a quite heroic person, as she puts herself in the line of fire to protect her fellow mutants, [[TakingTheBullet blocking enemy bullets]] with her diamond power which is a level of heroism rarely seen from her in the comics. Her villainous portrayal in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' is more line with her comic counterpart.
*** Creator/LievSchreiber’s ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}} while still a villain and JerkAss is regardless far more reasonable than the AxCrazy beast man of the comics. In this version he genuinely cares for Logan being his older brother and instead raping and leaving Logan’s LoveInterest Silver Fox for dead like in the original telling [[spoiler: he just fakes her death under Stryker’s orders]]. Sabretooth also works with Logan at the end and they part on good terms while in the comics they’re fierce enemies who can’t stand each other.
*** ComicBook/{{Gambit}} in the comics is a professional thief and loveable scoundrel, who took part (albeit unwillingly) in the Morlock Massacre. In the movie he’s just a innocent victim of Stryker and Weapon X and his hostility and suspicion of Logan is justified as believes the latter is trying to bring him back to Three Mile Island.
** ''Film/TheWolverine'':
*** Harada. In addition to [[spoiler:pulling a HeroicSacrifice to save Logan]], he's far less of a {{Jerkass}} than his comic counterpart, who is a foreigner-hating bigot.
*** Yukio was much more morally ambiguous in the comics (especially in earlier appearances, where she was a mercenary/assassin/thief) than in the movie.
** ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'':
*** ComicBook/{{Mystique}} is given a very realistic and sympathetic motivation for her StartOfDarkness moment, in contrast to her depiction in the comics. It goes so far as to establish that [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope prior to killing Bolivar Trask]], [[ThouShaltNotKill she'd never taken a single life during one of her crimes]]. [[spoiler:And additionally, she pulls a HeelFaceTurn and not only spares Trask, but rescues the president from Magneto during the climax. Presumably, this negates her role as a villain in the original trilogy via CosmicRetcon.]]
*** In the comics, ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}} is often an outright ''jerk'' (often intentionally), but in this film, he's more of a merry mischief-maker. He can easily flee on his own once the breakout goes bust, but instead, he goes out of his way to save Logan, Charles and Erik, even though he had already freed the latter from prison by technicality. Quicksilver is also clearly not impressed (if amused) by the idea that he helped free the person suspected of killing JFK once he finds out, [[spoiler:and is shown to be stunned and horrified by Magneto's "demonstration" in the climax]].
** ''Film/Deadpool2016'': While Deadpool is still a HeroicComedicSociopath, his love for Vanessa is presented as his biggest redeeming factor, and the movie goes to great lengths to show that [[NeverHurtAnInnocent he would never hurt anyone who doesn't deserve it]]. Contrast that with the comics, where Deadpool [[LovableSexManiac sleeps around constantly]], and he has been known to work for supervillains on the odd occasion.
*** The sequel has the Juggernaut. No, really! Yeah, he's the biggest physical threat the heroes must face, but it's all to help a kid take down the BoardingSchoolOfHorrors that tortured him and many other mutant kids. The only reason anyone wants to ''stop'' this is because in Cable's future, said kid has become a notorious SerialKiller with killing the headmaster in the present as his StartOfDarkness. Zero tears are shed when said headmaster does get what's coming to him at someone else's hand.
*** If the character called Yukio here is intended to be the same character as in The Wolverine (despite totally different powers; she's basically Surge by another name) then she counts here for the same reason as there, as this movie's version is one of the heroes from the start.
** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'':
*** Mystique, a villain in the comics and in the original trilogy, has been traveling the world rescuing mutants following the events of ''Days of Future Past'', and she becomes the ''field leader of the X-Men''. She insists that she's not a hero, though.
*** Comic book Quicksilver was never a member of the X-Men, but his movie counterpart is. He also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14JojQfFg5E expresses his veneration]] for Mystique's courage in defeating Magneto--his own father--and preventing the latter from assassinating President Nixon.[[note]]This confirms Peter's ReactionShot in ''Days of Future Past'' where he was astonished--in a bad way--by Magneto's actions in Washington D.C.[[/note]]
*** Magneto ends the film as a friend of the X-Men. If he really ''is'' stepping out of the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor this time, it will mean he never did any of the nastier things his comics counterpart has done.
** ''Film/{{Logan}}''
*** In the [[ComicBook/OldManLogan comic]] the reason why all the ComicBook/XMen are dead is because [[spoiler: ComicBook/{{Mysterio}} (yes o’l fish bowl head) tricked Wolverine into butchering all his friends, sending Logan into utter despair. In film, Xavier is one who killed his students and Logan is SoleSurvivor, but this isn’t a case of AdaptationalVillainy for Charles since being the most powerful telepath and getting dementia [[PowerIncontinence is a terrible combination]]. This makes Logan’s care for Charles [[TearJerker despite what happened]] even more moving]].
*** Caliban while more of a TragicMonster is still quite unpleasant in the comics, having tried to kidnap and marry Kitty Pryde and was even one of Apocalypse’s horseman, and in his [[Film/XMenApocalypse first film appearance]] he’s a outright JerkAss. In ''Logan'' however Caliban is a RetiredMonster who actively helps Logan and Charles whom he cares for greatly and he even pulls off a HeroicSacrifice helping his friends escape.
*** ComicBook/{{X 23}} aka Laura herself actually gets this. In the comics she’s been a TykeBomb from a early age, even [[DarkAndTroubledPast killing some innocent people as a child assassin before having more troubled years as a teenage prostitute]] and then finally finding the X-Men and having a HeelFaceTurn. In ''Logan'' Laura while as vicious as her [[OppositeSexClone papa clone]], only kills in self defence, and apart from scaring the shit out of a gas station clerk she’s a good-natured little girl who cares greatly for her loved ones. It also helps this version of Laura [[AgeLift is younger than her comic version]] therefore more comparatively innocent.
** In ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' [[spoiler: Jean herself gets this, in [[ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga the comics]] Jean thanks to being possessed by a CosmicEntity becomes DrunkWithPower causes a war with the Shi'ar Empire when she destroys a planet killing billions of lives and ultimately needs to be put down like a fiery cosmic Old Yeller. In the movie of the same name however, Jean ''[[NeverTrustATitle doesn’t become the Dark Phoenix]]'' as the worst thing she does is kill Mystique accidentally and real villains are the D'Bari who are [[VoluntaryShapeshifter expies]] of the Skrulls]]

* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** Tony Stark aka Film/IronMan himself, compared to his [[BrokenAce flawed and often antagonistic comic book counterpart]]. Notably all Tony's negtive qualities (i.e alcoholism, egotism, arrogance, paranoia, and self-hatred) are either toned down or removed completely. At worst he's a JerkassWithAHeartOfGold, which is a damn sight better than the pseudo-fascist he [[Flanderization/ComicBooks readly becomes in the comics]], hell MCU Tony astoundingly is more of a MessianicArchetype than even ''Captain America'' (TheParagon) at times which is really saying something. ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' is one time where Tony verges on his comic book-WellIntentionedExtremist ways, though it took ComicBook/ScarletWitch [[MindRape screwing with his brain]], and some fans actually feel it was a OutOfCharacterMoment for Tony. It's most clear in ''[[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar Civil War]]'' as in the comic Tony ruthlessly chucked his best friends in prison if they didn't agree with the SuperHumanRegistrationAct, while in the movie version Tony is genuinely horrified to see his friends imprisoned by [[GeneralRipper Thadeus Ross]]. Also in the film Tony's arguments and motivations are portrayed [[BothSidesHaveAPoint as equally justifed]] as Cap's are.
*** [[spoiler: MCU Tony also has pulled off two [[HeroicSacrifce Heroic Sacrifices]] to save Earth and the universe in general, while in the comics Tony has endangered Earth and has brought humanity close to destruction multiple times]].
** While the MCU version of ComicBook/NickFury is no stranger to keeping secrets and manipulating events to fit a desired outcome, he doesn't go nearly as far with it as the character he's based on ([[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Ultimate Nick Fury]]), who's a borderline VillainProtagonist at times.
** The same goes for Comicbook/MariaHill, who is more overtly heroic and lacks most of her comic counterpart's more morally dubious qualities.
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'': In one scene of [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve]] trying to join the army, Steve claimed his parents both served until they died. In the comics, Steve's Dad was an unemployed and [[AbusiveParents abusive]] drunkard. Then again, [[UnreliableNarrator Steve was already lying about his home town to have another chance to join the army]]. In the sequel ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' there's a flashback to pre-serum Steve after his mother's funeral where Bucky tries to console him and Steve says it's alright since she's "now with dad" implying a healthier family life compared to the comics.
** ''Film/IronMan3'': The Iron Patriot armor gets adapted into the new suit that [[ComicBook/WarMachine Lt. Col. James Rhodes]] gets to use. In the comics, the armor is best known as the one used by ComicBook/NormanOsborn during the ComicBook/DarkReign storyline.
** Comicbook/{{Loki}} gets this quite a bit in the movies, as in the comics (at least before his {{Reincarnation}}) he was a ManipulativeBastard whose schemes brought Earth and the universe to the brink of destruction multiple times, and while Loki has a few [[PetTheDog redeeming qualities]] overall he's a ChaoticEvil JerkAss. But in the films Loki from the [[Film/{{Thor}} get-go]] is more of a TragicVillain, whose villainous actions were born out of jealously of getting constantly shadowed by his brother and desire to prove himself to Odin. Unfortunately Loki falls under Thanos's wing in ''Film/TheAvengers2012'' but even then he somewhat regrets the chaos he's causing during the FinalBattle (to the point of ManlyTears). ''[[Film/ThorTheDarkWorld The Dark World]]'' and ''[[Film/ThorRagnarok Ragnarok]]'' furthers this, as Loki actually aids Thor against the villains as well as becoming [[TookALevelInKindness more and more selfless and caring]]. [[spoiler: ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' tops it off with Loki performing a HeroicSacrifice to protect Thor from being killed by Thanos]].
** ''Film/AntMan1'':
*** [[ComicBook/AntMan Henry Pym]] much like Tony has all of his shortcomings, flaws and villainous actions taken away in the movies. Instead of being a mentally unblanced FallenHero, MCU Hank is a passionate FamilyMan whose cynicism and grouchiness come from losing his wife and having S.H.I.E.L.D try and seize his technology. In addition, Hank's decisive and troubled relationship with his wife Janet from the comics, is changed to a sincere and loving one. It's also helps this Hank didn't create ComicBook/{{Ultron}} in this unverse, leaving him pretty mentally and morally positive.
*** While Scott Lang is still an ex-con, it's because he was a [[JustLikeRobinHood Robin Hood-like thief]] who hacked a company that was intentionally overcharging its customers. This is in contrast to the comics, where Lang was a burglar who used to rob people [[ItAmusedMe for the sheer thrill]].
*** Hope Van Dyne helps the heroes in their plan to save the world. In the [[ComicBook/MarvelComics2 MC2]] comics, Hope is a villainess known as the Red Queen. This is because movie Hope is a CompositeCharacter of her comics version and the original comics Wasp, who was her mother Janet Van Dyne.
** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' sees Comicbook/{{Gamora}} as the most moral of the group, and the first to stand by Peter, as opposed to the comics where she has a well earned nickname of [[RedBaron "The Most Dangerous Woman in the Galaxy"]] and is on the side of the good guys out of a combination of boredom, spite, and self-preservation. It also has the secondary character Nova Corps Dennerian Garthaan Saal as a cynical jerk, but heroic for the most part. In the comics he became insane and went on to oppose Nova and the Avengers as the villain, Supernova.
** Comicbook/{{Nebula|Marvel Comics}} also gets this in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and especially ''Film/AvengersEndgame''. In the comics [[ComicBook/NebulaMarvelComics Nebula]] is a vicious DarkChick who destroyed Xandar and after being tortured by Thanos, claims the Infinity Gaunlet herself and tried to kill the reamaining heroes before Comicbook/AdamWarlock stopped her. In movies she's more of a AntiHero whose attitude and actions are justified thanks to years of abuse under Thanos's hand but thanks to some sister bonding with Gamora [[TookALevelInKindness she becomes nicer]]. In ''Endgame'' Nebula takes it even further as ''she's completely selfless'' and does her best to aid the Avengers and restore the universe.
** Downplayed in ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar''. [[Comicbook/BaronZemo Helmut Zemo]] is still a villain, but his motives are much more sympathetic than his comic counterpart. In the comics, he was the son of a literal Nazi and [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain displayed racist attitudes]] (though he eventually grew out of this). In the film [[spoiler: he wants to tear the Avengers apart as revenge for his family being accidentally killed in one of their battles]]. Not too surprising since in the same film, [[GreyAndGrayMorality Iron Man and his pro-Registration side have much more sympathetic and logical motives]] than in the comics where they are StrawmanPolitical.
** Adrain Toomes aka The Vulture in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''. In the comics, he's a [[EvilOldFolks cruel and greedy old bastard]] who steals the youth away from people and has many KickTheDog moments. In the film Toomes is AffablyEvil being a FamilyMan who’s just trying to support his family [[spoiler: especially his daughter Liz]] albeit committing grievous theft, property destruction and accidental murder to do so. [[spoiler: At the end despite knowing Spidey's identity, Vulture refuses to rat him out to the Scorpion having VillainRespect for Peter, by contrast in the comics Vulture tried to kill Spider-Man when he unmasked himself]].
** Baron Mordo in ''Film/DoctorStrange2016''. In the comics, he's a CardCarryingVillain with little to no redeeming qualities, while in the movie, he's one of Strange's allies and helps him take on Kaecilius, the [[spoiler:allegedly]] real BigBad of the film. Even his inevitable FaceHeelTurn has more understandable motivations. Kevin Feige said they do intend to have Mordo become an antagonist in future installments, but hope that introducing him as a hero early on will make him a more interesting and morally gray villain.
** ''Film/BlackPanther2018'':
*** M'Baku, in the comics a straight villain, is an honorable WorthyOpponent to T'Challa with a DeadpanSnarker personality who takes him in and cares for him when he's defeated and near-death, and allies with him at the end against the villain in a textbook ChangedMyMindKid moment. He remains heroic in his minor appearance in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar''.
*** Nakia is a genuinely kind and empathetic person who wants to use Wakanda's wealth and power to help those in need. This is in contrast to the comics, where Nakia was a [[{{Yandere}} crazed]] and murderous StalkerWithACrush who was mostly defined by her obsession with T'Challa.
** Of all people, ''Infinity War'' gives us a [[spoiler: Comicbook/{{Thanos}}]] who is considerably more sympathetic than his comic counterpart. In the comics, his motive was that he'd [[spoiler: fallen in love with the AnthropomorphicPersonification of Death and kills to try and win her favor, to no avail - yes, going as far as famously [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet killing half the universe with the Infinity Gems]].]] In the film, [[spoiler: he believes the universe doesn't have enough resources to go around, and half must be sacrificed to spare the rest the fate his own planet suffered due to an OverpopulationCrisis. He takes no pleasure in it at all, genuinely cares for his "daughter" Gamora, and one of his {{Badass Boast}}s to the heroes about the failure they will soon taste turns out to have been genuine sympathy and turns out to be referencing how ''he'' felt in failing to save his people! Though it should be noted that, in ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', he loses many of these sympathetic traits when he realizes all the people post-Snap are trying, and ''succeeding'', to undo the one act of "good" he sacrificed everything to achieve; he decides [[OmnicidalManiac he's better off just pushing the Reset button and watching everything from the start is the better idea instead]], hoping to kill ''100%'' of life this time. In all fairness, the Thanos that the Avengers fight at the end of the film is from an earlier point in the timeline and thus had not actually made those sacrifices yet, the Avengers having executed the present day Thanos at the start of the movie, traveling forward in time when the Avengers attempt to time travel and gather the Infinity Stones to undo his plan, alerting him to their actions.]]
** ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'': The Kree-Skrull War is tweaked a bit. [[spoiler: Specifically, the Skrulls, while they don't necessarily have clean hands, are victims of Kree tyranny who have been forced to do bad things to survive rather than the recurring enemies in the comics. In general the Skrulls are a pretty nice bunch and actually help out Nick Fury in ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'']]

** Adrain Toomes aka The Vulture in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''. In the comics, he's a [[EvilOldFolks cruel and greedy old bastard]] who steals the youth away from people and has many KickTheDog moments. In the film Toomes is AffablyEvil being a FamilyMan whose just trying to support his family [[spoiler: especially his daughter Liz]] albeit committing grievous theft, property destruction and accidental murder to do so. [[spoiler: At the end despite knowing Spidey's identity, Vulture refuses to rat him out to the Scorpion having VillainRespect for Peter, by contrast in the comics Vulture tried to kill Spider-Man when he unmasked himself]].

** In the books, Severus Snape is a {{Jerkass}} whose true loyalties and motives remain ambiguous until the final novel reveals [[spoiler:he has been protecting Harry all along.]] In the movies, he's still unpleasant and occasionally mean, but many of his nastier moments are toned down or removed, and he has a few PetTheDog moments, such as [[spoiler: risking his own life to shield Harry, Ron and Hermione, the three students he most ''despises,'' from werewolf!Lupin]]. The films also only imply (rather than outright state) that Snape [[spoiler:unwittingly set the Potters up to die by telling Voldemort about the prophecy, which did not specify the child it was referring to. Once Snape realizes Lily could be endangered by this because her son Harry ''could'' be the child the prophecy was referring to and learned Voldemort was going after the Potter family, he immediately regrets his actions and goes to Dumbledore to protect her and, later, protect her son from Voldemort]].

* ''Film/BrickMansions'': Tremaine is a lot more sympathetic than Taha, the BigBad from the [[Film/Banlieue13 French original]] that he is largely based on. Taha was a [[AxCrazy complete lunatic]] of a drug kingpin who regularly [[BadBoss murdered his own followers]], and threatened to destroy the city with a stolen bomb just to extort a ransom from the government. Tremaine is an ex-soldier who is actually shown to [[AFatherToHisMen sincerely care for his men]], and whose motives for threatening to blow up the city are based on his legitimate grievances with the corrupt government for abandoning the district.