Marvel Studios' discussions about replacing the MCU's Kang the Conqueror with another major Marvel Comics villain might have ruined his debut anyway.


Marvel Studios has reportedly had discussions about replacing Kang the Conqueror in the MCU with Doctor Doom, but this reveal might have already ruined the much-anticipated villain's debut. In the wake of 2019's Avengers: Endgame and the conclusion of the MCU's Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios has been thrust into a period of turmoil. Several new projects released in Phases 4 and 5 have been met with criticism, which was exacerbated by controversies surrounding Jonathan Majors' arrest and assault allegations beginning in March 2023. Majors' Kang the Conqueror was billed as the primary villain of the Multiverse Saga, but it seems Marvel Studios may have had a plan to replace him.

A report released by Variety on November 1, 2023, reveals some bombshell details behind the scenes at Marvel Studios, focusing primarily on the company's discussions and plans following Majors' arrest. While Majors' Kang the Conqueror and his many variants have been set up as an ever-present threat in the MCU - set to culminate in 2026's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty - Variety's report suggests that Marvel Studios executives had spoken about potentially rewriting the Multiverse Saga, and replacing Kang the Conqueror with Doctor Doom. While this move would have brought the highly-anticipated Marvel Comics villain into the MCU, Variety's report may have inadvertently damaged the impact of his debut.

MCU's Kang Replacement Plan Sabotages Its Doctor Doom Introduction


Since Variety has reported that Marvel Studios executives discussed plans to bring Doctor Doom into the MCU to replace Kang the Conqueror, this is all he'll be associated with should he debut in the near future. There's been speculation that Doctor Doom may debut during Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot or 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars, but bringing the masked villain into the MCU now will shroud his debut in concern that he's only being introduced to shift focus away from Majors' ongoing legal case. After Variety's report, it will be very difficult for Marvel Studios to break Doctor Doom free from his association with Majors and Kang the Conqueror.

Why Doctor Doom Being Introduced Later Doesn't Fix The MCU's Problem




Variety's report has unfortunately created a double-edged sword for Marvel Studios concerning Doctor Doom's introduction to the MCU. If Doom is brought into the franchise too soon, it will appear simply as though he's being used to move quickly on from Majors and Kang the Conqueror, but if he doesn't appear soon enough, it will feel as though his debut was intentionally delayed so that it won't look like he was brought in just to be Kang the Conqueror's replacement. This creates a huge problem for Marvel Studios, as, either way, Doctor Doom's MCU debut is going to be connected to Kang the Conqueror's potential departure.

"Doctor Doom's MCU debut is going to be connected to Kang the Conqueror's potential departure."

Doctor Doom is an incredibly powerful villain in Marvel Comics and one of the more human villains that the Avengers and the Fantastic Four face throughout their careers. Doom's MCU debut is highly anticipated among fans of Marvel Comics, particularly following 20th Century Fox's two attempts at bringing the villain into live-action, with mixed receptions. Doctor Doom must be able to show his power in the MCU, yet tying him to Majors' legal issues and Kang the Conqueror's uncertain fate in the franchise will only make his introduction feel awkward, forced, and artificial, which is a huge problem that Marvel Studios needs to find a way to overcome.

Source:screen rant