History Main / TheStarscream

* ''Series/KingdomAdventure'': Dagger voiced a desire to take [[TheDragon Pitts']] place as Magistrate while Pitts was struggling in a life-threatening situation, though downplayed in that Dagger generally doesn't actively scheme to take Pitts' place.

A certain type of character falls outside the pattern: a villain [[AmbitionIsEvil too ambitious]] or individualistic or just too stubborn to [[GreenEyedMonster accept the supremacy]] of the Big Bad. Instead, this villain actually dreams about overthrowing the guy everyone else fears and taking his place. Sometimes he is a (grudging) [[TheDragon servant of the Big Bad]]; sometimes he is entirely outside the established power structure. In rare NobleDemon or AntiVillain cases, he may be actually loyal to the GreaterScopeVillain, and [[AntiMutiny feels his direct boss isn't]]. In any case, if the Big Bad ever stumbles or [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership shows weakness]], the Starscream will be there, ready to [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie kick him out of the Astrotrain]]. A good way to tell a true Starscream apart from the run-of-the-mill opportunists who ally themselves with the BigBad hoping to share in the spoils (and who would only take over if the Big Bad was already taken out, or they were otherwise handed the opportunity on a golden platter) is through his emotions. If he is privately seen boiling with anger and seething with hatred over his boss ordering him around and being forced to say "Yes sir" all the time, then his supposed boss should watch out for him. The dominant trait of a Starscream is resentment at being a sycophant, and this bitterness is proof that he is the real thing.

* In ''WesternAnimation/RatchetAndClank2016'', [[spoiler:Dr. Nefarious is this to Chairman Drek]]. By the end of the film, [[spoiler:[[ForcedTransformation he turns him into a sheep,]] and forcibly sends him off into space, and then takes over the Deplanetizer [[OmnicidalManiac in an attempt to destroy the entire star system]]]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/TreasurePlanet'', Scroop, the second-in-command to the pirate Long John Silver, seems more like the main antagonist of the film than the cyborg.

* ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'': Voller's plan for the Antikythera is to [[spoiler:use it to travel back to 1939 and assassinate Hitler, so that way a more competent leader can take over and lead Nazi Germany to victory in World War II. It's heavily implied that Voller intends for himself to be said competent leader.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'', [[spoiler:Randall assures Mr. Waternoose there will not be witnesses to their plan in a manner that implies he intends to eventually betray Mr. Waternoose]].

* The Mouth Of The South Wrestling/JimmyHart openly coveted Wrestling/JerryLawler's PowerStable, The King's Army, but was cowardly and relegated to managing who King would send him. When Lawler was hospitalized in a football game however Hart announced he was putting the proverbial bullet in Lawler and crowned [[Wrestling/PaulEllering "Precious" Paul Ellering]] as the King. Lawler put Hart back in his place rather easily after healing.

* Liu Shen, the main villain of the {{wuxia}}, ''Film/WebOfDeath'', convinces his boss, the Snake Clan Leader, into restarting a war in the clans which ended decades ago, with the intention of betraying him and taking over once all is said and done.

*** Zigzagged with Dr. Starline. Though he initially serves the role of TheDragon, obeying Eggman's every whim, he is genuinely happy with serving the doctor... [[BrokenPedestal at first]]. Issues upon issues of Eggman chastising his methods, ignoring his suggestions and causing more trouble for everyone involved ultimately leads him to try to take matters in his own hands, and even then he only does so to help the situation out and so that the man will realize his mistakes. Meanwhile, Eggman seeing Starline as this trope played straight is precisely why he's booted out. Interestingly, it's only long after he's no longer working with Eggman that he decides to plot to overthrow him proper, demonstrating clear bitterness and resentment and actively speaking about his plan to outdo him.[[spoiler: This didn't last though. After successfully hijacking Eggman's base, Starline went back to admring the doctor's work and decided to enact his original plan i.e trying to convince the rotund scientist to conquer the world together then rule as "equal minds". Starline then learned in [[KilledOffForReal the worst way possible]] that Eggman will never share '''anything'''.]]

*** Robotnik[=/=]Eggman has stated that he knows that Snively and several of his Grandmasters are planning to turn on him, but precisely because of that they serve him to their fullest, because they want to take over a strong empire. He actually applauds Lien Da for an underhanded attempt and chastises Snively for a sloppy one.\\\
Eggman has another reason for encouraging his Grandmasters to plot against him, he actually finds it fun to have enemies to defeat, seeing it as just a game to him. But he wants them to be aware of the consequences if they lose.

* The sentient tomato Zoltan is Dr. Gangreen’s Starscream in ''WesternAnimation/AttackOfTheKillerTomatoes'' as he’s always questioning his plans and his leadership. In the second season, Zoltan and his five goons actually dethrone Gangreen and took over the world from him.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'', Abomination is The Starscream to Baron Zemo. Abomination is an interesting example since before joining Zemo, he was a loyal [[TheDragon Dragon]] to the Leader.
* Paxton Powers in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' was an odd case. You could technically say he was a ''successful'' Starscream killing his father Derek ([[NeverFoundTheBody or so it seemed]]) and taking over Wayne-Powers as CEO, even though he really only did so because he lucked out. The thing is, Paxton became a rather [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain pathetic replacement]], not at all like the dangerous and ruthless tycoon his father was. Squandering his newfound position on wine, women, and song, neither Bruce Wayne nor Terry took him seriously at all, and when he eventually got greedy and double crossed the Royal Flush Gang after hiring them to steal artifacts, he was hauled off to jail. (And he pretty much ruined the Royal Flush Gang's once stellar reputation in the underworld in the process.) Paxton did threaten to buy the courts and have Barbara Gordon and the rest of the police department working in the sanitation department when his lawyers were done, but that was likely an empty threat. The important thing is, Wayne was finally able to regain full control of his company again.
* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'' [[Characters/Ben10Vilgax Vilgax]] is eventually DemotedToDragon by [[EldritchAbomination Diagon]]. When he reappears for the GrandFinale he loudly proclaims his UndyingLoyalty to Diagon. Ben immediately calls him out on his bullcrap, believing that the real Vilgax isn't loyal to anyone but himself. [[spoiler:Ben is completely right. Vilgax also manages to be a successful Starscream, tricking Diagon into attacking an energy absorbing device -- bad news for Diagon since he's an {{Energy Being|s}} -- sealing (possibly ''killing'') him.]]

* Glove from ''WesternAnimation/BionicSix''. Which is most amusing since Glove, like Rasp, was voiced by Creator/FrankWelker, the original voice of Megatron.

* Zero, on ''WesternAnimation/{{Challenge of the GoBots}}.'' Zero ''had been'' the leader of the Renegades, and Cy-Kill stole the job from him after [[FaceHeelTurn defecting]] from the Guardians. Zero had every reason to resent Cy-Kill, and he wanted his job back.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Chaotic}}'', Lord Van Bloot is a lieutenant of Chaor, supreme ruler of the Underworld, that really wants the bigger chair. The latest sets in the card game reveals [[spoiler: that he has allied with the M'arillians to achieve his goals of ruling the Underworld (even thought that would just make him a mere governor if the M'arillians succeed in taking Perim)]].
* [[TheDragon Jose]] from ''WesternAnimation/CyberSix'' goes from an ambitious WellDoneSonGuy to this when he finds out [[BigBad Von Richter]] plans to destroy "his" city. [[spoiler:He pulls it off, too; his actions not only inadvertently [[NiceJobFixingItVillain save the city]], but also cause the deaths of Von Richter and possibly Cyber Six herself, as well as [[CutShort the end of the series]].]]
* Rasp from ''WesternAnimation/DinoRiders'', although not to the consistency of the trope namer. Interestingly, his voice actor was the same who did the voice of the original Megatron, Creator/FrankWelker. He also voiced the BigBad, Krulos. This more-or-less means that he was trying to backstab himself.
* [[MadScientist Urpgor]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone'' intends to claim the titular MacGuffin for himself, betray and overthrow his master [[BigBad Zordrak]] and crown himself [[EvilOverlord Lord of Nightmares]].
** Urpgor is a more subdued example. Though he ''really'' does dwell over the possibility of Zordrak expiring and leaving him ruler of Viltheed, his betrayals are more often to preserve his job as right hand man, sabotages any schemes or resources Zordrak comes into possession of that would render him redundant (knowing from experience that the demonic overlord would [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness turn on him the moment he doesn't need him anymore]]). He did make an attempt to take possession of the Dreamstone with his Auntie, though an argument over power led to him betraying her, considering even working under Zordrak a more tolerable position.
* General Skarr from ''WesternAnimation/EvilConCarne'' constantly plots to overthrow Hector Con Carne and take over Evil Con Carne. Unfortunately, Skarr's ButtMonkey status means his schemes are utterly hopeless.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'', Draconis regularly plots against Phaeton, but his plans always come to naught. Phaeton eventually gets rid of him anyways.

* On ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', the Lead Eliminator eventually tires of taking orders and tries to revolt. He promptly gets "unmade". [[spoiler: Though he eventually comes back as a OneWingedAngel, the true villain of the special.]]

* In the episode "Gir Goes Crazy and Stuff" of ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'', the main character locks his usually hopelessly scatterbrained RobotBuddy Gir into "duty mode", forcing him to be focused and sane. Unfortunately, Zim himself is a total GeneralFailure, and now that Gir is functioning properly for a prolonged period of time, he can realize just how much of a bungling, arrogant, hopelessly incompetent fool Zim is. So he openly turns on Zim and nearly kills him before Zim manages to undo his efforts, making Gir too stupid and distractible to think about betraying Zim anymore.
* Valmont in ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' betrays Shendu ''right after he betrays him''. He plans on robbing him of his palace, but fails. Next, he pulls an EnemyMine on Jackie to remove Shendu from him.
* According to WordOfGod, [[YesMan Samy]] on ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'' would overthrow [[LouisCypher Lucius]] if he had the chance. Considering [[ButtMonkey his status]], this seems unlikely.
* Happened once in ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible: A Sitch In Time'', where after Drakken and his VillainTeamUp squad were arrested, Shego decided to use the [[TimeMachine Time Monkey]] to [[BadFuture take over the world twenty years later]], though [[HypercompetentSidekick it's not that much of a shock]] when [[StupidBoss you think about it]]. She was actually very successful, even managing to have the other villains under her thumb. If it wasn't for the huge ResetButton that was set at the end of the movie due to Ron breaking the Time Monkey, she would've been known as the most successful Starscream in history. [[spoiler: [[NiceJobFixingItVillain Though that's what she gets for telling Ron she was the one responsible for him being moved to Norway and separated from Kim. Though technically, she only did it because Drakken convinced her, so that's what she gets for listening to Drakken. You'd think she'd know better, especially as the ruler of the world.]]]]
* Snooky Wookums in the episode "Mechani-bot" from ''WesternAnimation/KryptoTheSuperdog''. When the titular villain usurps Mekanikat's ship control, Snooky doens't loose the time to join him instead of defend his master. Considering Mekanikat's BadBoss tendencies, this was to be expected. However his new boss wasn't better, and Snooky ended up as a janitor. When Mechani-bot was defeated, Snooky cleames he was in Mekanikat's side all the time.

* Shang Tsung, as depicted in ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatDefendersOfTheRealm'', is resurrected by Shao Kahn, reigning arch-villain, Emperor of Outworld, and his former boss. Shang Tsung quickly decides that he'd rather overthrow him, but his plans don't get very far. Later, in the season (and, as it turned out, series) finale, he makes a better-planned effort to overthrow him and very nearly succeeds [[spoiler:before ''both'' villains ''and'' the rightful queen are sent running, and there are still two factions left fighting for the throne. Long story]]. Oddly enough, all forecasts say that he's somehow measurably ''more evil'' than Shao Kahn, so Outworld may have dodged a bullet.

** In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E13TheMean6 The Mean 6]]", the clone of Twilight Sparkle created by Queen Chrysalis secretly plots to steal the Elements of Harmony for herself and overthrow Chrysalis as soon as she is away from her would-be-ruler. And when Chrysalis finds out about her treachery, [[spoiler:Clone Twilight nearly succeeds into beating the ex-changeling in a BeamOWar, before being interrupted by the Tree of Harmony]].

* In the season one finale of ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'', [[spoiler: Darrell takes over Boxmore from his father/creator Lord Boxman and [[HurlItIntoTheSun has him launched into the sun]]]].
* Mullins in ''WesternAnimation/PeterPanAndThePirates'' mostly as a counterpart to Smee’s SycophanticServant of Captain Hook. Although Starsky has the role sometimes he is less vocal in his questioning of Hook’s plans. Of course Hook is pretty badass in this version (and helps that is voiced by Creator/TimCurry) and a very competent villain and his plans are generally very good. Mullins and Starky’s questioning is more related to point out Hook’s futile obsession with Peter Pan and how they waste their lives there when they can be pillaging somewhere else.
* In ''WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle'', Boris Badenov tried many a time to stab his boss Fearless Leader in the back. When you're dealing with evil spies, what do you expect?
* In ''WesternAnimation/ShadowRaiders'' Emperor Femur's chancellor Pelvis regularly drips poison on his boss's dinner slugs. And they're "good guys", [[TokenEvilTeammate sort of]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "The Fat Blue Line", it turns out the long-standing supporting mobster "Johnny Tightlips" was not simply observant going above and beyond the code of silence, but his "passive-aggressive replies", "bitter looks" and "taciturn nature" were all in fact gigantic ''flags'' that he was dissatisfied with working for [[TheDon Fat Tony]] before he arranged to set himself up on top of the gang.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'', Snively constantly grumbles over having to serve the Doctor, but doesn't actually attempt to harm him. By the Second Season he has blatantly come to resent his uncle's abuse and makes a few shrewd plans behind his back (he once attempted an attack on Knothole while Robotnik was gone, and was savvy enough to make alterations to his base that would ultimately save his life when Robotnik stabbed ''him'' in the back and left him to die in it). [[spoiler: He simply plays along until Robotnik is seemingly destroyed in the final episode, then is seen donning his uncle's trademark yellow cape.]] He does, however, resemble Starscream in voice, especially considering his voice is done by Creator/CharlieAdler.
* Pretty much everyone's [[TheDragon Dragon]] in the gang war arc of ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', especially Hammerhead, which is surprising because he seemed to be extremely faithful toward ''his'' leader. However, he is understandably fired by said boss shortly after they (or at least the boss) were arrested.
* [[Characters/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilToffee Toffee]] from ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'' was initially hired by [[GeneralFailure Ludo]] to make his monsters more efficient. He succeeds with flying colors, and then uses his success to usurp Ludo's command and tosses him out of the castle.
* Airball in ''WesternAnimation/StuntDawgs''.
* Silver Surfer from ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow''. He starts out as an ally to the Super Hero Squad, then returns to Galactus with the Infinity Sword. The weapon [[FaceHeelTurn corrupts]] the Silver Surfer to the point where he actually becomes more powerful and arrogant. His act of this trope involves what looks like an alliance with Thanos, whose Infinity Gauntlet now has all 6 gems, by shaking his hand. But at the end of the handshake, he rips off the gauntlet from Thanos and banishes him into the gauntlet. He then becomes the Dark Surfer. This is one of the few examples of a FaceHeelTurn pulling this trope off.

* In ''{{WesternAnimation/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|2003}}'' (2003), Baxter Stockman plays this role whenever he's working with The Foot, and will take any opportunity to be a thorn in the Shredder's side. If you want your MadScientist's loyalty, here's a tip: don't punish him by way of MalevolentMutilation for every single operation gone wrong until he's more machine than man. He can make said machine very big and very nasty, and he'd probably rather use it on ''you'' than the Turtles.
* Scarlett from ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama Pahkitew Island'', who spends the season using [[CardCarryingVillain Max]] to do her dirty work before in "Scarlett Fever" she reveals herself to be EvilerThanThou and takes control of the island's systems to coerce Chris into handing her the prize money.
* At first, Pavel from ''WesternAnimation/TronUprising'' appears to just be a ProfessionalButtKisser, but is slowly revealed to be this. He leaves Paige to die, [[spoiler:keeps a powerful upgrade a secret from Tesler, tries to make Tesler look incompetent in front of Dyson]], and then when Paige repeatedly rejects his offer of a VillainTeamUp, he begins to takes verbal jabs at her in front of Tesler.
* Notably subverted with [[HypercompetentSidekick Commander Peepers]] in ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'': while he ''did'' attempt (with mixed results) to take over TheEmpire after Lord Hater abandoned his post in "The Cool Guy," he prefers to work under Hater as [[VillainousFriendship he really wants to see him succeed]]. It probably helps that [[AdorableEvilMinions tiny Peepers]] has a hard time being taken seriously without Hater there to provide the intimidation factor.
* Sarah Bellum was like this in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/WhereOnEarthIsCarmenSandiego''. This led to a brief EnemyMine between Carmen and the two heroes, as Carmen was obviously the LesserOfTwoEvils. (Sarah was far more brutal.)
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'', [[spoiler: Cedric eats Phobos unexpectedly after Phobos agrees to give "a fraction of his power" -- which he decided to interpret as 3/3, 4/4 or equivalent]].

* In the ''Fanfic/JWITCHSeries'', it eventually becomes clear that [[WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures Daolon Wong]] is only serving as one of the CoDragons of [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} Prince Phobos]] in order to use him to gain the Heart of Meridian for himself, and is planning to usurp him when the time is right.
** The other Co-Dragon, Lord Cedric, is later revealed to have his own plans to betray Phobos when the time is right. [[spoiler: At prodding from [[TheChessmaster Tarakudo]], Cedric and Wong eventually [[VillainTeamUp team up]] to usurp Phobos, while plotting to double-cross each other afterwards.]]

** Bram Velsing was another Latverian scientist who was very vain and proud of his handsome looks. He plotted to overthrow Doom and take over Latveria, but Doom saw him coming a mile away. His CoolAndUnusualPunishment was to not only banish Velsing from Latveria, but also put a ghoulish-looking skull mask on his head, permanently hiding his good looks. The [[ClingyMacGuffin mask was surgically grafted to Velsing's face, meaning he could never remove it.]] An embittered Velsing used his science smarts to create an arsenal of weapons and a genetically-engineered CoolHorse to try and take over Latveria. Calling himself the Dreadknight, Velsing ended up clashing with heroes like ComicBook/IronMan and [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]].

* ''Fanfic/AThingOfVikings'': Several of Drago's generals rebel against him in an EnemyCivilWar, some because they hate him for being a foreigner ruling over them, others just wanting his power for themselves.

Sub-trope of EvilVersusEvil. Opposite trope of TheCreon, who will do anything in his power to stay second-in-command at all costs. Contrast SarcasticDevotee, ProfessionalButtKisser, and VillainousFriendship (where TheDragon and the BigBad trust each other as friends). For instances where everyone is a Starscream, see DeckOfWildCards. May be the despicable party of a SympatheticVillainDespicableVillain duo, if the former master becomes sympathetic.