As a lifelong Marvel Comics enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over the intricate tapestry of storylines that make up the rich and vibrant universe of these characters, I find myself deeply intrigued by the possibility of Kang’s transformation from villain to hero in the MCU.
Kang has stepped down, and Doom is taking his place. This swift change highlights how unpredictable events can be, even within long-term storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans had anticipated that Kevin Feige’s master plan would see some modifications following Jonathan Majors’ dismissal from the MCU, few could have guessed the current course of action: reintroducing Robert Downey Jr., who will once again embody the beloved Marvel character Victor von Doom.
The announcement undeniably created a stir, with the revelation that Joe and Anthony Russo, directors of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” will direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars.” However, there are many uncertainties surrounding this news. Predictably, some Marvel enthusiasts express concern about Downey playing Doctor Doom. While the casting decision might appeal to nostalgia, it could also be perceived as a strategy to attract an audience that has been less active in cinemas since the conclusion of the Infinity Saga. Furthermore, there’s the racial aspect—a white actor portraying a character who is traditionally Romani in the comics.
A significant uncertainty arises concerning the character Kang in relation to Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Iron Man. Previously, fans presumed that Marvel might replace the actor due to Kang’s multiverse characteristics. However, numerous Doctor Doom speculations have been proposed to justify Downey’s casting beyond just public relations purposes. Now, the challenge is how Marvel will handle Kang’s unexpected substitution after years of development. Here are some theories on this matter.
Loki destroyed Kang during Season 2
In a recent statement, actor Jonathan Majors expressed regret over the change from Kang to Doctor Doom in his Marvel role, given that this shift is happening following his conviction for a minor domestic assault charge. However, he also shared his enthusiasm about the return of Robert Downey Jr. as the renowned villain.
When Disney terminated its partnership with Majors, he had been a significant part of two Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions: “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” on the big screen and the Disney+ series “Loki.” The former has received some of the poorest reviews among Marvel Studios films. On the other hand, “Loki” is one of the franchise’s top entries since Phase 4 began, and it might also serve as a way for Marvel Studios to write off Kang from the MCU.
By the finale of “Loki” Season 2, the mischievous ex-deity Loki assumes the role previously held by He Who Remains, a variant of Kang, as the overseer of the multiverse at the end of time. Instead of maintaining all the branching realities in order, Loki decides to let them flourish. In upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe narratives, it may be revealed that from his powerful position, Loki thwarted the emergence of a Kang variant military force. Alternatively, his new role within the multiverse could subtly reshape Kang’s function, significantly reducing his menace.
As a gamer immersed in this epic universe, I’d suggest a clever way to retire Kang could be by weaving him into the broader multiverse narrative instead of keeping him as a Thanos-like menace. The popularity of “Loki” series might help casual fans grasp this shift more easily, making the storyline more inclusive and engaging.
Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom IS Kang in the MCU
One alternative approach Disney might take when introducing Doctor Doom in the MCU is by linking his character to the backstory of a previous villain, transforming him into a form of Kang-like figure. This theory has been floating around among fans, and given Marvel’s history, they could potentially make it happen.
The main problem with transitioning to Doom is that for years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been developing Kang. However, we haven’t received a satisfying resolution with this character – no epic Avengers film featuring all heroes banding together to battle him, no grand multiverse conflict. This was supposed to occur in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” (renamed to “Doomsday”) and “Secret Wars.” By making Downey’s Doom a variant of Kang from another timeline, Marvel could potentially maintain some of the narrative energy they’ve spent years cultivating and connect it to the Doctor Doom storyline.
To put it simply, the Multiverse Saga has been a complex undertaking with minimal payoff, which is part of why it’s faced criticism from the outset. The addition of new terms and lore in each movie and series hasn’t made for an easily understandable narrative. With projects like “Quantumania” receiving unfavorable reviews and disappointing box office returns, Disney might be inclined to simplify things moving forward by preserving beloved characters and storylines without continuing the current convoluted saga.
Marvel didn’t kill off Kang – they’ll just recast him in the MCU
Absolutely, Marvel still has the option to replace Kang and continue featuring him prominently in their storyline. With the Avengers film previously associated with Doom now confirmed, it seems unlikely that Kang will return as the main antagonist again. However, he might assume a supporting role, allowing a new actor to step into the limelight while Kang continues to influence the narrative.
Given that the Multiverse appears to be stable for now, it seems we might be in for a prolonged storyline. It’s possible that Kang, having been defeated by Ant-Man and controlled by Loki, may temporarily disappear from the scene. However, Marvel might bring him back later when they require an established antagonist to fill time. Prior to the recent scandal involving Majors, Kang was finding it challenging to keep audience interest like Thanos did. This could be due to the fact that each time we encounter him, he’s a different variant, essentially a new character. Perhaps he was just too humorous for some viewers. Regardless of the reason, he might function better as a secondary or potential rival villain, serving as a sidekick or adversary to someone such as Doctor Doom.
In case Disney decides to take this path, enthusiasts have been brainstorming various possible substitute names for the character – actors such as Colman Domingo and John Boyega are among the suggestions. For the moment, however, it appears that all attention is centered on Doom. Yet, there’s a chance that Kang could reappear down the line.
Kang will become a Marvel hero & the MCU’s last hope against Doctor Doom
For longtime Marvel Comics enthusiasts, it’s common knowledge that at various points in time, Kang, also known as Nathaniel Richards, has been both a relative of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Victor von Doom. In one alternate reality, Nathaniel transforms into a hero after discovering the destruction he would eventually cause as Kang. This hero is none other than Iron Lad, a character modeled after Iron Man in the Young Avengers, with whom Nathaniel fights on the side of righteousness.
The intricate, tangled tale of the Kang character offers Marvel Studios plenty of creative possibilities. Future movies might introduce a fresh Kang version portrayed by a different actor, set against Doctor Doom, much like Iron Lad did in the comics, who rejected his own past (or future, depending on perspective). The fact that the original Iron Man actor is now playing Doctor Doom introduces an extra level of complexity. Perhaps in another reality, Tony Stark transforms into Kang. Alternatively, Downey’s Doctor Doom could be a temporary character, destined to be replaced by a more enduring villain in “Secret Wars.”
Among the theories presented here, this one might be the most uncertain given the intricate history of comics, making it challenging to predict what Disney might choose to preserve or discard. Nevertheless, the concept of a noble Kang version resolving his own tale isn’t entirely implausible. After all, similar scenarios have occurred in the past.
The MCU will swap out Kang for Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four
To conclude, let’s focus on the highly anticipated Marvel film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” set for release in July 2025. This movie stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the original superhero team from Marvel. With its upcoming premiere, it might provide just the boost that the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs to break free from the recent slump.
It has been confirmed that Galactus will serve as the main antagonist in the upcoming film, with Ralph Ineson portraying the character. While Galactus is typically associated with cosmic events, it’s worth noting that Kang the Conqueror and Doctor Doom are often enemies of the Fantastic Four. Given this information, there’s a possibility that the new movie could introduce a swap of villains, leveraging Reed Richards’ time-travel expertise to resolve the Kang storyline and hint at the emergence of Doctor Doom in future films.
Although fitting such a vast storyline into a single movie along with introducing new characters for the Marvel Cinematic Universe might seem challenging, Marvel is adept at subtly embedding setup and teasers in their productions. Currently, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” carries significant weight due to its distinctive approach, impressive cast, and apparent standalone status within the franchise. However, introducing a Kang/Doom plot too early could potentially compromise this independence; only time will tell how things unfold.
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2024-08-08 15:00