Marvel Studios had initially mapped out an ambitious plan for Kang the Conqueror, positioning him as the central villain of the Multiverse Saga. This arc was to culminate in two major Avengers films: Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Kang’s role was not just that of a villain, but a key figure driving the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, recent developments suggest a significant change in direction, with Doctor Doom now rumored to take Kang’s place. In this article, we’ll break down Marvel’s original plans for Kang, how different movies and shows like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness were meant to tie into the saga, and why Doctor Doom might be stepping into the spotlight.
The Rise of Kang: Marvel’s Original Vision
Following the monumental success of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios needed a new antagonist capable of rivaling the threat posed by Thanos. Enter Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors. First introduced as a variant known as “He Who Remains” in Loki Season 1, Kang was meant to be the key figure driving the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The eerie ending of Loki Season 1, with the reveal of a Kang statue in the Time Variance Authority (TVA), was a moment that sent fans into a frenzy of anticipation. Jonathan Majors’ portrayal of Kang variants was a significant selling point, and early fan theories about his multiversal conflict set the internet abuzz. Kang was expected to unleash chaos across different realities, leading to a full-scale multiversal war that would climax in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
The Multiverse Saga: A Web of Connections
Marvel had big plans to interweave multiple projects in the build-up to Kang’s ultimate showdown. Films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness teased multiverse-centric stories, laying the groundwork for Kang’s conquest. Even Deadpool & Wolverine were rumored to have roles in this grand multiversal narrative. But the biggest surprise was Loki, which did more for the Multiverse Saga than any other Marvel project.
In Loki, the show brilliantly explored time manipulation and alternate realities, with Loki and Sylvie triggering a multiversal breakdown. The show also teased the implications of Kang’s future, suggesting that the multiverse war was inevitable and that Kang was at the heart of it all. The original plan was setting the stage for a grand, interconnected story, with Kang as the driving force behind a multiversal war that would span multiple films and TV shows.
The Turning Point: Quantumania and the Fallout
Despite all the promise, things began to shift after Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. While Jonathan Majors gave a compelling performance as Kang, the film failed to establish him as the terrifying villain fans expected. Quantumania was a box-office disappointment, and the portrayal of Kang didn’t resonate with audiences as powerfully as Marvel had hoped, leaving many fans disappointed.
It’s worth noting that even before Majors’ legal issues surfaced, Marvel Studios was reportedly rethinking their focus on Kang. There were whispers about Doctor Doom being introduced as a replacement for Kang as early as 2022, suggesting that the shift away from Kang may have been in the works for some time. With Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles escalating, Marvel decided to part ways with the actor, officially signaling the end of Kang’s dominance in the MCU. These changes have sparked a range of reactions from fans, from disappointment to curiosity about the new direction of the Multiverse Saga.
The Creative Shuffle: Behind-the-Scenes Changes
In the wake of these developments, Marvel Studios began a significant reshuffle. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was temporarily rebranded as Avengers 5, and Shang-Chi director Dustin Daniel Cretton was moved off the project to helm Spider-Man 4 instead. Jeff Loveness, who was initially set to write Avengers 5 and had a significant role in crafting Kang’s arc, was quietly removed from the project. Loveness had been Marvel’s “Kang guy,” and his departure was a clear indication that the studio was moving away from Kang’s storyline.
In a recent update from insider Daniel Richtman, it was revealed that Marvel Studios didn’t drop Kang solely due to Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles. Reportedly, when they were considering recasting the character, they realized that Kang wasn’t generating the excitement they had hoped for. The decision to bring back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, instead of sticking with Kang, was a strategic move aimed at reigniting fan interest in the Avengers films.
According to Richtman, Marvel Studios may have felt that choosing Kang as the villain for the Multiverse Saga was a mistake from the start, especially with Secret Wars as the end goal. Doctor Doom, being a more iconic and fan-favorite villain, may have always been a better fit for the saga, and the legal issues surrounding Majors provided an easy off-ramp to transition away from Kang.
Loki Season 2: A Glimpse of What Could Have Been
One of the significant hurdles for Marvel was Loki Season 2, which had already been completed before Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles became public. Season 2 featured a heavy focus on Kang, particularly the variant “Victor Timely,” and many fans were unsure whether the events of the season would remain relevant given the behind-the-scenes changes, sparking a wave of speculation and anticipation.
Interestingly, despite the speculation that Loki’s finale was rewritten to minimize Kang’s presence, some insiders have claimed that this wasn’t the case. The original ending, which saw Kang fade into the background rather than being directly defeated, was reportedly always part of the plan. However, the ambiguity surrounding his exit left fans with the sense that Kang’s storyline was being quietly abandoned.
While Loki Season 2 did a stellar job of continuing the multiverse narrative, it also felt like a setup for a storyline that would never reach its intended conclusion. The build-up was immense, but the final payoff left many wondering: was all of this world-building for nothing?
The Multiverse War: Kang’s Grand Plan
Had Marvel stuck with the original plan, the multiverse war would have been central to the Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars films. In Loki, He Who Remains warned that killing him would result in a multiversal war—a war that the Avengers would be forced to fight. The multiversal war Kang referenced in Loki was likely the same one that would have unfolded in these films, with different Kang variants battling for control over time and space.
The Kang that died in Quantumania was initially expected to be a key figure in this war, likely returning in the Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Some fans speculated that this Kang would become the MCU’s version of He Who Remains, overseeing the sacred timeline after emerging victorious from the multiverse war.
The story would have escalated with the introduction of a prime version of Kang—an all-powerful, god-like figure similar to the Beyonder from the original Secret Wars comics. This Kang would have taken control of the multiverse, destroying it to recreate it according to his vision. The void at the end of time, first seen in Loki, would have served as the MCU’s version of Battleworld, where heroes from across the multiverse would fight to restore reality.
Doctor Doom: The New Villain of the Multiverse Saga?
While the original plan for Kang was ambitious, Marvel’s pivot to Doctor Doom may offer a new direction for the Multiverse Saga. Doctor Doom, one of the most iconic villains in Marvel comics, is to step in as the new antagonist, taking Kang’s place in the story. With the following Avengers films retitled as Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Doom could rise as a multiversal conqueror, posing a similar threat to the Avengers and the multiverse itself.
This decision, according to Richtman, was intended to overshadow any conversation about Kang or Jonathan Majors and ensure that the transition between villains was smooth and well-received by fans. With Robert Downey Jr. returning in such a high-profile role, Marvel Studios aims to recapture the excitement and interest in the Avengers films that had diminished following Quantumania’s poor reception.
Doom’s presence in the saga could also play into Marvel’s current strategy of leveraging nostalgia. There are rumors that Robert Downey Jr. could return to the MCU as Doom rather than reprising his role as Iron Man. This, combined with the return of beloved characters like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men, and even the possibility of appearances from characters like Nicholas Cage’s Ghost Rider, would tap into fans’ love for the golden age of superhero films.
The Future of the Multiverse Saga: What to Expect
Although the plan for Kang has shifted, we can still expect an epic multiversal story. Instead of Kang leading the charge, Doctor Doom could now be the one wreaking havoc across different realities, with the Avengers and other multiversal heroes rising to stop him. The collapse of the multiverse, the emergence of a void-like Battleworld, and the final showdown between multiversal heroes and Doom could still be on the table—just with a new villain at the center of it all.
Doctor Doom’s rise as a villain could also simplify the saga’s narrative. While Kang’s time-traveling antics were exciting, they often became convoluted and complex for casual fans to follow. Doom, as a more grounded and iconic character, could bring a more streamlined yet equally impactful conclusion to the saga.
Conclusion: Kang’s Lost Potential and Doom’s New Role
Marvel’s original plan for the Multiverse Saga, with Kang at its center, was an ambitious and intricate storyline that promised to push the boundaries of the MCU. However, as plans changed and new challenges arose, the studio has seemingly shifted its focus to Doctor Doom. While Kang’s potential might feel wasted, the new direction could still deliver a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to the saga, with beloved characters and a nostalgic return to form for the MCU.
As Marvel continues to adjust its approach, we may still see many of the original story beats play out—just with Doom stepping into the spotlight instead of Kang. Whether or not this change was for the best remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Multiverse Saga still holds the potential for some truly epic storytelling.