Marvel’s ‘Kang Dynasty’ officially cancelled : Kang Dynasty Before Doomsday

Marvel’s ‘Kang Dynasty’ officially cancelled : In the ever-evolving world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), plans can change dramatically. The fifth Avengers film, originally titled Avengers: Kang Dynasty, has now been retitled Avengers: Doomsday, and rumors are swirling that Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU not as Iron Man but as the villainous Dr. Doom. This shift has left fans wondering: What happened to Marvel’s original plan for the Kang Dynasty? And what does this mean for all the world-building done in the two seasons of Loki, Deadpool and Wolverine, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania? Let’s break down everything we know about the original plan and how Marvel appears to be altering that plan while keeping some elements intact.

The Original Plan for Avengers: Kang Dynasty

A Multiverse-Centered Narrative

The original plan for Avengers: Kang Dynasty was deeply rooted in the multiverse narrative, with Kang the Conqueror as the central villain. Jonathan Majors portrayed Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and played various Kang variants, including He Who Remains in Loki Season 1 and Victor Timely in Loki Season 2. The multiverse was set to be the battleground for a war involving multiple Kang variants, each with their own agenda.

Multiversal War and Kang’s Conquest

Kang the Conqueror’s mission was to dominate the multiverse, wiping out any universe that posed a threat to him. This narrative was set up through his appearance in Quantumania, where he revealed his history of annihilating entire timelines and his plan to restart the multiversal war, which had been paused by He Who Remains. The multiversal war was a central theme in Loki Season 1, with He Who Remains explaining how he had ended the war by weaponizing Alioth, a creature that devours time.

The Role of Loki and the TVA

In Loki Season 2, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) evolved from pruning timelines to nurturing them, with Loki taking on the role of God of Stories to hold the multiverse together. The season finale left the door open for further exploration of the multiverse and the threat posed by Kang’s variants, setting the stage for a multiverse-wide conflict in Avengers: Kang Dynasty.

The Development Team

The original Avengers: Kang Dynasty was set to be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The script was being written by Jeff Loveness, who had previously written the script for Quantumania and several episodes of Loki Season 1. The creative team had laid the groundwork for a complex narrative that would bring together various elements of the multiverse, including characters from Loki, Deadpool, Doctor Strange, and more.

The Shift to Avengers: Doomsday

Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom

The announcement that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Dr. Doom in Avengers: Doomsday was made at San Diego Comic-Con in July. This marked a significant shift in Marvel’s plans, moving away from Kang as the central villain and introducing Dr. Doom as the new antagonist. The phrase “New Mask, Same Task,” repeated by both Downey and director Anthony Russo, has fueled speculation about the nature of Dr. Doom’s role in the MCU and how it might connect to previous narratives.

The Downfall of Kang?

The shift away from Kang as the primary villain may be linked to the mixed reception of Quantumania and the legal issues surrounding Jonathan Majors, who was arrested for assault and harassment in March 2023. Although Majors’ performance as Kang was praised, the film’s underwhelming box office performance and the subsequent legal troubles may have prompted Marvel to rethink their plans for the character.

What Does This Mean for the Multiverse Saga?

While Marvel appears to be moving away from Kang as the central villain, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the multiverse saga is being scrapped entirely. The multiverse remains a crucial element of the MCU, and Dr. Doom’s introduction could offer a new perspective on the multiverse war. Avengers: Doomsday might still explore the consequences of the multiverse’s instability, but through the lens of Dr. Doom’s ambitions rather than Kang’s.

The Impact on Other Marvel Properties

Loki

Loki has been instrumental in setting up the multiverse narrative, with both seasons exploring the consequences of timeline manipulation and the rise of Kang variants. While the original plan was likely to tie these elements into Avengers: Kang Dynasty, the shift to Avengers: Doomsday could see Loki’s story taking a different direction. The TVA’s new mission to nurture timelines instead of pruning them might now play into Dr. Doom’s plans, rather than Kang’s.

Deadpool and Wolverine

The upcoming Deadpool and Wolverine movie was also expected to connect to the multiverse saga, with rumors suggesting that the film would involve multiverse travel and encounters with different versions of familiar characters. With the shift in focus to Dr. Doom, it remains to be seen how this film will fit into the broader MCU narrative.

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was another key piece of the multiverse puzzle, exploring the consequences of meddling with alternate realities. While the original plan may have been to have Strange face off against Kang, the introduction of Dr. Doom as the new villain could lead to a different kind of confrontation in the future.

The Future of the MCU

Avengers: Doomsday and Beyond

With Avengers: Doomsday now set to be the fifth Avengers film, Marvel is clearly making significant changes to its original plan. However, the overall structure of the multiverse saga may remain intact, with Dr. Doom taking on the role originally intended for Kang. This shift could lead to new and unexpected storylines, as Marvel continues to explore the vast possibilities of the multiverse.

Secret Wars

Avengers: Secret Wars is still on the horizon, and it’s possible that the multiverse war originally planned for Kang Dynasty could now take place in this film, with Dr. Doom as the primary antagonist. The introduction of Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom could also pave the way for a more personal conflict, as Doom’s history and motivations are explored in greater depth.

What About the Kang Variants?

While it seems that Kang may no longer be the central villain, it’s unlikely that Marvel will completely abandon the character. The Kang variants introduced in Loki and Quantumania could still play a role in the MCU, perhaps as secondary antagonists or as part of a larger narrative involving the multiverse.

Conclusion

Marvel’s decision to shift from Avengers: Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Doomsday marks a significant change in the MCU’s future. While it remains to be seen how this will impact the broader narrative, it’s clear that Marvel is not afraid to pivot when necessary. The introduction of Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom offers exciting new possibilities, and fans can look forward to a new era of storytelling in the MCU, one that may still involve the multiverse but with a different villain at the helm. As Marvel continues to build towards Secret Wars, the question remains: What does the future hold for the multiverse and the characters who inhabit it? Only time will tell.