Was the MCU’s Kang a Waste of Time?

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Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?

Summary

  • Marvel’s Hall H panel showcased exciting new projects, with Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom in
    Avengers: Doomsday
    .
  • Kang the Conqueror’s arc in the MCU was abruptly ended due to legal issues, leading to a shift to Doctor Doom as the new big bad.
  • Despite Kang’s potential, Doctor Doom may offer a more engaging multiversal threat, potentially winning back fans in future phases.

As a long-time Marvel fan and someone who has followed the intricate web of stories that the MCU has spun over the years, I must say I find myself both surprised and slightly intrigued by the recent developments regarding Kang the Conqueror and Doctor Doom.

It appears that Comic-Con has officially validated the anticipation of comic enthusiasts worldwide – it looks like the Marvel Cinematic Universe will return after a challenging period. The recent years have been marked by uneven movie quality, disappointing box office earnings, and an absence of a definitive endgame. However, this week’s Hall H panel has been one of Marvel’s most promising in years. Alongside showing sneak peeks for “Captain America: New World Order” and “Thunderbolts,” studio head Kevin Feige revealed the upcoming films “Avengers: Doomsday” (as well as previously announced “Secret Wars”) and, notably, Robert Downey Jr. will be reprising his role as Doctor Doom in the franchise.

Although these recent developments have been thrilling, it’s natural to ponder whether the past few years, during which Marvel Studios were developing Kang into the Avengers’ impending arch-nemesis, might have been for naught. To be fair, it’s tough to fault Marvel entirely, given that they couldn’t foresee the legal complications surrounding Kang actor Jonathan Majors. However, abandoning the character altogether and significantly altering the trajectory of the Multiverse Saga leaves one questioning the studio’s choices, making their last few years all the more frustrating, despite the anticipation surrounding “Doomsday.”

Marvel Didn’t Initially Plan for Kang

Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?

18 months ago, I was on the edge of my seat watching the meteoric rise of Jonathan Majors, a name that’s been buzzing lately due to his legal troubles, but let me tell you, it was electric! His electrifying performances in indie films like “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and TV shows like the undervalued gem “Lovecraft Country,” combined with the praise he was receiving from critics, made him shine like a rising star. And it wasn’t just the audience who took notice; industry professionals were equally captivated by his talent.

It’s rumored that Marvel producers were highly impressed by Jonathan Majors’ portrayal of Kang the Conqueror in shows like “Loki” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” causing them to rethink the future direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As a result, Phases Four, Five, and Six, collectively known as the “Multiverse Saga,” are now expected to feature Kang as the main antagonist. Given that Kang has been a favorite villain among comic book fans for quite some time, this development was met with excitement; after all, Thanos set a high bar, but a time-traveling villain with multiple variants seemed like an appropriate successor. Majors’ impressive debut in the “Loki” finale only served to validate these hopes of him becoming a memorable villain.

Without a doubt, everyone is aware of the events that transpired subsequently. Approximately a month following the premiere of Quantumania, Majors was apprehended for allegedly assaulting his partner. In the ensuing weeks, he lost his agent and was dismissed from several projects. Marvel created quite a stir in 2023 by maintaining a noticeable silence regarding the situation, which left spectators anxious that they might continue to work with Majors as if nothing had transpired. This apprehension intensified when he made an appearance in Loki Season 2 later that year.

As a long-time comic book enthusiast and Marvel fan, I must say that the recent events surrounding the firing of Majors from the upcoming Avengers film have left me feeling quite disheartened. Having grown up reading the adventures of the Avengers and watching them come to life on the big screen, it’s hard not to feel a sense of attachment to these characters.

Was Kang Ultimately Pointless in the MCU?

Although letting go of Jonathan Majors from the franchise might have been necessary, it’s hard not to feel disappointed about the studio’s choice to abandon the Kang character altogether. Since Avengers: Endgame, Marvel’s storyline seems less cohesive compared to the Infinity Saga. If the rumors are true that they didn’t initially plan to make Kang the main antagonist for the Multiverse Saga, this aligns with our sense of a missing overarching strategy. However, it’s worth noting that Kang was meant to be a significant conclusion for the storyline, given the central role he played in both seasons of Loki and all of Quantumania.

Swiftly removing Kang from the storyline might heighten fan concerns about hasty plot development, given that Doctor Doom is soon to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. This sudden introduction could seem premature, considering we’re deep into the Multiverse Saga. Thanos, on the other hand, had a well-established buildup starting from the initial Avengers, with intermittent appearances in post-credits scenes and the first Guardians of the Galaxy. From a narrative perspective, it seems Marvel might have opted for recasting Kang more easily, given their history of recasting (for instance, Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard, or Harrison Ford stepping in for Thunderbolt Ross after William Hurt’s passing). As Kang poses a multiversal threat, it would be simple for Marvel to explain another actor playing the role.

From my perspective as a devoted fan, it’s not unreasonable to say that, given the way Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has portrayed Kang up until now, his absence wouldn’t be greatly felt. Although his brief appearance in Loki sparked excitement, the grand entrance of Kang in Quantumania fell short of expectations. Despite being touted as an all-powerful adversary, he didn’t exude a presence more intimidating than Erik Killmonger, and he lacked the complex emotional depth that made Thanos such a captivating villain. Furthermore, the manner in which his Quantumania variant was so easily defeated and how quickly the Kang Council were thrust into the role of the main antagonist adds to this disappointment.

Beyond the fact that the Multiverse Saga’s climax will be based on the movie version of “Secret Wars”, it seems unlikely that the main storyline will undergo significant changes. This is partly due to the fact that Doom plays a larger role in this comic arc compared to Kang. In essence, given his numerous cosmic-oriented plotlines, it could very well be the case that switching to a more intriguing villain might help reclaim some fans who felt disengaged during Phases Four and Five, as Doom may prove to be a more captivating multiversal threat than Kang ever was.

Kang the Conqueror Is Dead; Long Live Doctor Doom

Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?Was the MCU's Kang a Waste of Time?

Certainly, it wasn’t expected that Jonathan Majors would turn out to be a burden for Marvel, much like many people were unaware of the situation. To clarify, the success of the Multiverse Saga was already being questioned even before he became a liability. Regrettably, films such as Quantumania now seem more insignificant given their build-up leads to nothing substantial.

As a dedicated gamer and Marvel fan, I believe the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could really benefit from an exciting new villain to shake things up – and Victor Von Doom might just be the jolt of adrenaline they need after some rocky years. Oh, and by the way, if you’re interested in catching up with the MCU, it’s all available for streaming on Disney+.

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2024-07-31 02:32