Moon Knight Episode 5's Bushman Tease Supports Major MCU Villain Theory

Caution: spoilers ahead for Moon Knight episode 5

Did Moon Knight episode 5 just confirm the arrival of a major Marvel villain to the MCU? Across Moon Knight's first four episodes, the Disney+ series has heavily hinted toward some dark connection between Marc Spector and Layla El-Faouly, with the wicked Arthur Harrow boldly accusing Marc of murdering Layla's father. The truth finally surfaces in Moon Knight episode 5, as Taweret sends Marc and his alter, Steven Grant, to explore each other's memories.

Finding themselves amidst fiery desert wreckage, Marc confirms he was dismissed from the military after going "AWOL in a fugue state." From there, Marc became a mercenary under his former commanding officer, and eventually wound up in Egypt with orders to raid a tomb. The mercenary leader made a snap decision to leave no witnesses alive, and although an unhappy Marc attempted to help the civilians at the dig site, he failed. The archaeologists were killed, and Marc himself almost shared their fate. Moon Knight's backstory broadly follows the Marvel comic books - and that includes the name of Marc Spector's mercenary commander, Bushman.

When Moon Knight first started dropping breadcrumbs for the desert incident and murder of Layla's father, the Bushman theories began in earnest. Those familiar with the source material were left wondering whether this classic Moon Knight comic villain was present in Marc's MCU past, and mooted whether a possible debut was planned further down the line. By referencing Bushman by name for the very first time, Moon Knight episode 5 gives those early theories a huge boost. Bushman may not have physically debuted onscreen quite yet (the character's casting hasn't been announced either), but Marc's memory not only confirms Marvel's Raul Bushman exists within MCU canon, but there's a ready-made, built-in grudge between the villain and Moon Knight just begging to be explored.

Bushman smiling while sharpening a knife in Marvel comics

With only a single episode remaining, Bushman is highly unlikely to play any significant role in Moon Knight season 1. At most, he'll get a cameo that paves the way for meatier storylines later on. Bushman could, however, enjoy a major presence in Moon Knight season 2 (if a second run does happen). Indeed, name-dropping the classic comic villain in episode 5 instantly makes Raul Bushman the leading candidate to succeed Ethan Hawke's Arthur Harrow in the Moon Knight main antagonist spot. The appointment would make sense, given Moon Knight and Bushman's frequent comic book clashes, and even if we take MCU lore only into account, there's evidently bad blood between Spector and his former military CO. The latter left his man to die in the middle of the desert, and ultimately forced Marc to accept Khonshu's help. There's a vengeance story waiting to be told.

Oscar Isaac's MCU future beyond the Moon Knight finale is completely unknown. He may follow Loki into the Disney+ second season club, or migrate onto the big screen alongside other Avengers. By name-dropping Bushman, however, Moon Knight episode 5 begins pushing Isaac toward the latter outcome. Though the reference may be intended as a mere Easter egg, the seeds are sown for a potential upcoming Moon Knight villain (intentionally or otherwise), opening the door to an entirely new arc based on the Fist of Vengeance's comic book material. Although Raul Bushman never seriously troubled Moon Knight in the Marvel comics, the mercenary arguably makes sense as a season 2 enemy. After saving the world from Arthur Harrow and the supernatural threat he poses, Moon Knight's future stories may benefit from a more introspective, personal challenge.

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Moon Knight concludes Wednesday on Disney+.