We already know who the next Big Bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be but it looks like he was almost replaced by a Fantastic Four villain. A recent report has shed light on discussions held at Marvel Studios regarding the potential replacement of Kang the Conqueror with Doctor Doom in the MCU following Jonathan Majors' arrest in March 2023.
Jonathan Majors made his debut in the MCU as a variant of Kang the Conqueror, known as He Who Remains in the first season of Loki. He was poised to become the central antagonist in the MCU's Multiverse Saga. However, in March 2023, Majors faced allegations of assault, casting doubt on his future in the MCU. Marvel Studios has yet to release an official statement and is likely waiting for a definitive verdict on the case.
Still, that doesn't mean Marvel considered a possible back-up plan. Variety reports that discussions took place at the Marvel Studios annual retreat in Palm Springs. It reportedly involved top executives including Marvel boss Kevin Feige who contemplated replacing Kang the Conqueror with the iconic Marvel Comics villain Doctor Doom, potentially altering the MCU's upcoming storylines. While Doctor Doom's debut in the Multiverse Saga had been rumored, these discussions could have resulted in a more substantial role for the character.
Majors has appeared in three significant MCU projects so far, portraying He Who Remains in Loki, Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Victor Timely in Loki Season 2. He was positioned as a pivotal figure in expanding the MCU's Multiverse Saga, culminating in his starring role in the 2026 film Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The revelation that Marvel Studios contemplated replacing Kang the Conqueror with Doctor Doom is a surprising development, but it can be understood as a response to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Majors' trial.
Interestingly, Majors' recent controversy isn't the only reason for the change. In the same report, a source revealed that Marvel had also considered shifting the focus away from Kang prior to Majors' arrest, influenced by the reception of Quantumania. The source cited the film's underwhelming performance as a factor that gave Marvel pause.
Between Majors' arrest, the impending trial scheduled for November, and the lukewarm reception of Quantumania, it is reasonable that Marvel Studios would contemplate changing course, despite the challenges involved.
Will Jonathan Majors' case affect the Loki Season 2 finale?
For now, it looks like Marvel is sticking to its plans, thanks to the success of Loki Season 2. Majors' performance as Victor Timely received positive reviews and with only two episodes left, it's unlikely that anything about the series will be changed. As for the other Marvel projects involving Majors, if the verdict is in his favor, Kang the Conqueror could still prove to be integral in the MCU's future.
Majors is expected to return as Victor Timely in Loki Season 2 Episode 5, which will premiere on Disney+ on November 2, 2023.
