Kang was supposed to be Thanos’ MCU replacement, so what’s wrong with Marvel’s Grand Plan?

After the tremendous success of Avengers: Endgame, The Marvel Cinematic Universe Went full steam ahead in the multiverse saga with the promise that the villain Kong the Conqueror would become the new Thanos for the next era of the MCU. Years of meticulous world-building led to the end of the Infinity Saga, and the hype that preceded it was as big as it could have been. With the multiverse, anything is possible, and positioning Kong as the next big bad was an inspired choice.

Unfortunately, not everything worked out as Marvel Studios hoped. A number of problems have revolved around Kong, both in the MCU’s projects and stuff outside the studio’s control. This led to the MCU seemingly abandoning Kong and reworking the universe’s Phase 5 plans and beyond to go in a new direction. Everything that was promised about the character disappeared, and eventually will be nothing but a missed opportunity for the MCU. What is wrong?

Victor Von Doom replaced Kong in his own movie

Avengers: Kong Dynasty is now Avengers: Doomsday

The last dagger in the hope that Kang would continue to have a significant role in the MCU is when Robert Downey Jr. is announced as Doctor Doom for the next two Avengers films. Downey Jr. Has been the beating heart of the MCU for a decade, starting the entire franchise with Iron Man Before ending Tony Stark’s journey in Avengers: Endgame. Robert Downey Jr. Coming back to the MCU as Doctor Doom is one of the most surprising castings in superhero movie historyAnd a definitive statement from Marvel Studios about where their priorities are.

Kang was building up to his inevitable appearance in Avengers: Kong Dynasty Before Avengers: Secret Wars was set to end the multiverse saga. Plans took a serious turn with the Downey Jr. casting and Avengers: Kong Dynasty Changed in Avengers: DoomsdayCompletely removing Kong from the equation, and eliminating his importance in the grand scheme of ​​the multiverse saga. Even if Kang does come back at some point, Doctor Doom’s arrival overshadows him completely.

As Kang is set to be the MCU’s Thanos replacement

He was first teased in Loki season 1

One of the strongest aspects of the MCU’s Infinity Saga was how it built up the threat of Thanos over the course of many years. When he finally arrived as the main villain in Avengers: Infinity WarFans are hyped to finally see him square off against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Not only did Thanos live up to the hype, He exceeded all expectations, and became one of the best villains ever. Kang was primed to do the same thing.

Over the course of the Multiverse Saga and the beginning to Avengers: Kong DynastyThe MCU has plans to introduce Kong in a number of projects before. like tonus, Kang was seemingly destined. Instead of the sheer power and strength that Thanos possesses, though, Kang’s biggest advantage was the multiversal nature of his character. Basically, there were an infinite number of Kongs that could go up against the Avengers and the prospect was exciting. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down when the star of the show’s actions were brought to light.

Jonathan Majors’ allegations and fallout explained

Marvel Studios cut all ties with the actor

Jonathan Majors quickly came on the scene, cast as Kong the Conqueror for the multiverse saga and had the opportunity to leave his mark on MCU history. It was a meteoric rise to the top for him, but his fall was just as swift. On March 25, 2023, Jonathan Majors was arrested on assault charges against his girlfriend. By December 2023, he was found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault. After the verdict, Marvel Studios cut ties with Majors, and his role as Kong was done.

Before being arrested, Majors was set to be the next big thing in Hollywood. His role in Creed III Earned him critical acclaim, while Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was Kong’s first major appearance in the MCU. All the goodwill and hype surrounding him as an actor and his fall from grace was one of the sharpest falls in recent memory. With Major’s career in limbo, his return as Kang will seemingly never happen.

Kang’s MCU appearances haven’t hyped him up

Audiences didn’t connect with Kang like they did with Thanos

The biggest problem with Marvel in positioning Kang as the next Thanos, is that his appearances in the MCU did not seem to build the hype needed for him to become the massive threat he would have to be in. Avengers: Kong Dynasty. He first Appeared towards the end of Loki Season 1, as “He Who Remains”, a variant of Kong. It was a good start for the character, building enough intrigue to get the ball rolling for audiences to embrace their new Thanos. Despite this strong enough start, it was Kang’s next appearance that did him no favors.

In a surprising move by Marvel Studios, Kang’s entrance as the new big bad came in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. It felt like an attempt to push Ant-Man to be one of the biggest characters in the universe, but instead it only diminished the threat of Kang’s future appearances. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s The ending sees Kong lose to Ant-Man, dying in the process. The end credits teased the vast number of Kong variants ready to fight, but the damage was done. If Kang can lose to one of the weaker Avengers, why fear any of his variants that would go up against Thor or the Hulk?

Kong Will always be a case of “what might have been” for those Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was positioned as the next big baddie of the highest grossing movie franchise of all time, following in the mighty footsteps of Thanos’ presence in Avengers: Infinity War And Avengers: Endgame. There was a time after Infinity Saga where the possibilities for the character were endless. Unfortunately, a mix of poor narrative choices and nightmare casting will be the only thing the character is remembered for.