Summary
Following Jonathan Majors' departure from Marvel Studios due to his legal issues, the future of Kang the Conqueror in live-action, especiallyAvengers 5, remains uncertain. Marvel president Kevin Feige has publicly addressed the character’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time, discussing whether Kang will feature in upcomingAvengersmovies.
Jonathan Majors garnered significant acclaim for his portrayal of Kang in the MCU, captivating both fans and critics with standout performances inLokiandAnt-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Despite the movie’s overall shortcomings, his role was widely regarded as theAnt-Manfilm’s greatest strength. With plans to establish Kang as theMCU’s new formidable antagonist, following a Thanos-like trajectory,Majors’ future as the character took a sudden turnwhen he was found guilty of assault and harassment against his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari, leading to an unexpected and swift conclusion to his tenure as Kang.
In a recent chat withScreen Rantto discussDeadpool & Wolverine, Kevin Feige was asked about Kang’s potential appearance inAvengers 5, previously known asAvengers: The Kang Dynasty. This title initially hinted at thecharacter’s significant role in the MCU’s future. Feige chose to leave fans in suspense, neither confirming nor denying Kang’s involvement in the upcoming Avengers films and skillfully sidestepping any questions about whether the character, possibly portrayed by a different actor, will appear inAvengers 5. “I’ve done a number of interviews in the last couple of days, and you’re the first person to [ask],” he responded. “I give you credit for just outright asking the question, and I’ll give myself credit for trying to invade it and avoid it entirely.”
The future of Kang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe appears uncertain, with a return for the character seeming unlikely in the near future. Early reports suggest that while Kang may stay in the universe, Marvel could recast the character following Jonathan Majors' exit. Actors rumored to be in the running totake over the role include John David Washington,Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, and John Boyega. On the other hand, some sources hint that Kang might be phased out of the MCU, withDoctor Doom, potentially portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.,slated as his replacement and the new primary antagonist. Additionally, there is speculation that multiple actors could be cast as Kang to represent his different iterations. Fans will have to be patient for more details, possibly emerging after Marvel Studios' recent Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
Jonathan Majors, known for his roles inAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaandCreed III, has been cast in the indie thrillerMerciless, directed by Martin Villeneuve. As Majors returns to the big screen, some fans speculate about whether the MCU might bring him back. While some believe he deserves another chance, similar to Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback, others argue that it’s not even worth discussing. There is concern that re-casting him as a villain could send the wrong message and provoke a backlash, leading Marvel Studios to avoid any potential controversy. Additionally, given that the lacklusterAnt-Manthreequel didn’t do justice to the “Conqueror” variant, it’s become increasingly apparent thatMarvel may shift away from this character in the remainder of the Multiverse Saga.
Following the release ofDeadpool & Wolverine, Marvel’s next film isCaptain America 4, slated for 2025, withAvengers 5hitting theaters in 2026.
