Doctor Doom: Marvel's Next Villain After Kang?

Article Summary

Following the triumphant Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios finds itself confronting obstacles and an air of uncertainty as it searches for a formidable arch-nemesis to propel the upcoming league of superheroes into greatness.

Jonathan Majors' future as Kang the Conqueror is uncertain due to legal issues, prompting Marvel to explore other options. Currently, discussions are underway about potentially accelerating the introduction of Doctor Doom as the next prominent antagonist. If this plan materializes, he could feature in upcoming Marvel projects and pose a significant threat on par with the Avengers.

The multiverse is in disarray, and the current situation for Marvel and Disney's Sacred Timeline is far from ideal. Marvel Studios has had a challenging year, grappling with creative, PR, and financial setbacks. The company now finds itself at a critical juncture, uncertain about its next move. After accomplishing the monumental feat of the Infinity Saga, a decade-long narrative that reached its pinnacle with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel seemed to possess the Midas touch. However, that success now feels like a distant memory.

In September, the Marvel Parliament, a group entrusted with charting the franchise's creative direction, convened for their annual retreat. Unfortunately, the mood was not entirely positive. The previous Avengers saga revolved around the Infinity Stones and the formidable threat of Thanos, who convincingly defeated the superhero team in Avengers: Infinity War. The responsibility fell upon the Parliament to devise the next formidable adversary for the new generation of heroes to confront.

Marvel chose Kang the Conqueror as their new villain, a character known for his ability to manipulate time and alternate realities. Kang seeks to conquer different time periods and alternate realities, often conflicting with heroes like the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. His complex history stems from his time-traveling exploits, and he has been portrayed with varying motivations, from power-hungry conqueror to a noble manipulator of time.

Marvel cast Jonathan Majors, a rising star who debuted in the Season 1 finale of Loki, as Kang. Originally signed on for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel changed their plans after seeing Majors' performance in Loki. Impressed, they fully embraced the character and teased the dominance of Kang and his many variants in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The next Avengers film, titled The Kang Dynasty, will revolve around this character.

However, Majors' intentions were quickly disrupted when he faced arrest and assault charges during an ongoing investigation. As a result, the inclusion of Majors in Phase 6 has become uncertain, although the studio has stated that no final decisions will be made until the legal proceedings progress further. Additionally, Disney has taken action by removing "Magazine Dreams," a movie produced by Majors, from its schedule. Majors attempted to have his charges dismissed last month, but his case is now heading to trial.

This situation poses a significant problem for Marvel and Disney, who are renowned for their family-friendly entertainment. According to a report by Variety, alternative plans were discussed during a retreat in September to swiftly introduce a new villain that would pose a threat on par with the Avengers. The article mentions the name of Doctor Doom as a possible option.

Doom is renowned for his exceptional intellect, expertise in technology and magic, and his iconic powered armor suit. His primary objective often revolves around establishing global dominance and asserting himself as Earth's supreme intellectual. Notably, he has engaged in memorable confrontations with the Fantastic Four—a film regarding their exploits is ready for shooting, pending a SAG-AFTRA strike. Marvel has even deliberated expediting his ascension to the role of the primary antagonist.

Is Jonathan Majors Still in 'Loki'?

An additional issue arises with Loki's character, Loki being portrayed by Majors in the second season of the series. Majors plays the role of Victor Timely, a variant of Kang, alongside Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson. In the most recent episode, Timely seemingly meets his demise, but according to a report from Variety, Kang will still play a part in the series finale. The report also mentions that the events of this episode will have a connection to the next Avengers film, as the writers and SAG-AFTRA strikes have prevented any rewriting or reshooting. One insider goes as far as describing Marvel as being in a troublesome situation.

With a problematic star, a declining brand, and an unusable villain, it's no surprise that the retreat lacked its usual festive atmosphere. The insider further comments, "I fail to see how they can progress with him at this point."

The upcoming film, Deadpool 3, will feature Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman from the Fox/X-Men universe, which Disney acquired several years ago. This highly anticipated release is said to intertwine with the events of Loki and the Time Variance Authority. Currently in production, Deadpool 3 might provide insight into Marvel's future and the potential inclusion of Victor von Doom.

Editor's P/S

Doctor Doom is one of the most iconic villains in the Marvel Universe, and I'm excited to see him potentially take on the role of the next big bad in the MCU. He's a complex and powerful character with a long history, and I think he would make an excellent foil for the new generation of heroes.

I'm also intrigued by the idea of Doom being introduced sooner rather than later. I think it would be a great way to shake up the status quo and give the MCU a new direction. It would also allow Marvel to start building up to a potential showdown between Doom and the Avengers, which would be an epic event.