How MCU's Phase 6 Villain Could Resolve Kang & Thanos Issues Together

Marvel Studios had set up Kang the Conqueror as the next big villain following the events of Avengers: Endgame and the Infinity Saga. Kang's presence was teased in Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, hinting at a major conflict in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, recent events have cast doubt on this storyline's future.

Jonathan Majors, who was set to play Kang, was fired from Marvel Studios in 2023 due to legal issues. This has led to uncertainty regarding the fate of the character. Speculation abounds about whether Kang will be recast or if the entire Kang storyline will be abandoned. Despite no official statement from Marvel Studios, reports indicate that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will undergo a name change, potentially shifting the focus to a different villain. It seems that a replacement for Kang may have already been introduced in the MCU.

Incursions Can Replace Kang The Conqueror As The MCU’s New Major Threat

An incursion happening in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - Incursions Can Replace Kang The Conqueror As The MCU’s New Major Threat

According to Reddit user Erasculio, a new theory suggests that Marvel Studios can forego introducing a new physical villain to replace Kang the Conqueror in Avengers 5. The concept of incursions and the looming threat of multiversal destruction already provide enough danger. Incursions were first brought into the MCU in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. They occur when universes collide, resulting in the destruction of one or more universes. The barriers between universes weaken when individuals interfere with alternate realities, a recurring theme since the start of the Multiverse Saga.

Stephen's presence here confuses and unsettles reality. The more influence he exerts, the higher the risk of triggering an incursion. These events happen when the boundary separating two universes weakens and they collide, potentially leading to the annihilation of one or both universes.

The idea of an incursion obliterating the universe is a significant enough threat to potentially replace a physical character villain, and there are numerous advantages to Marvel Studios focusing on incursions as the antagonist for Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars. Many recent events have taken place that could have triggered incursions, such as those depicted in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man: No Way Home, What If...?, The Marvels, and even Sony Pictures' Morbius. The looming threat of incursions is expected to wreak havoc across the multiverse in Phase 6 of the MCU, making it the ideal major villain to succeed Kang the Conqueror.

The only instance of an incursion being witnessed in the MCU thus far occurred in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Doctor Strange and Earth-838's Christine Palmer found themselves transported to a reality devastated by an incursion caused by the Scarlet Witch.

Thanos Was A Difficult MCU Villain To Replace

Thanos surrounded by fire in Avengers Infinity War - Thanos Was A Difficult MCU Villain To Replace

While Thanos was the first major villain to really defeat the Avengers, leaving huge shoes to fill, incursions could potentially serve as a suitable replacement for the overarching villain of the Infinity Saga. Marvel Studios spent several years building up the threat of the Mad Titan, played by Josh Brolin in films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Age of Ultron, before his quest to collect the Infinity Stones culminated in Avengers: Infinity War.

Some fans have struggled with the transition away from Thanos as a villain, especially given the confusing build-up to Kang the Conqueror's storyline and the controversies surrounding Jonathan Majors. By shifting focus to a non-character antagonist like incursions, Marvel Studios may find it easier to make this transition, as there will be no physical villain for audiences to compare to the formidable might of Thanos. Unlike Thanos, who posed a threat to the universe, incursions threaten the entire multiverse, with their invisible nature making them even more ominous.

Heroes From Other Realities Can Be The Villains Of Avengers 5 & Secret Wars

Captain Carter, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic and Captain Marvel as the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - Heroes From Other Realities Can Be The Villains Of Avengers 5 & Secret Wars

Throughout the Multiverse Saga, Marvel Studios has introduced several alternate versions of popular heroes, who could potentially pose a physical threat in Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars. If each reality becomes aware of impending incursions, the heroes from different worlds would undoubtedly attempt to prevent their universe from being destroyed. However, this would put them at odds with the heroes from the main MCU continuity.

Loki on Disney+ showcased various versions of the God of Mischief, while Spider-Man: No Way Home introduced alternate Peter Parkers and formidable villains. The Marvels also brought in new iterations of the X-Men. Yet, it was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that introduced the most new variants into the MCU. The meeting of Earth-838's Illuminati with Doctor Strange, followed by their demise at the hands of the corrupted Scarlet Witch, likely triggered a significant incursion. This could mean that the surviving heroes of Earth-838 might present a significant challenge to the primary superheroes of the MCU in Phase 6, potentially seeking retribution against Earth-616's Wanda Maximoff.

Marvel Comics’ Heroes Don’t Fight A Major Villain In The Lead Up To 2015’s Secret Wars

In Earth-838, the Illuminati was made up of John Krasinski's Mister Fantastic, Hayley Atwell's Captain Carter, Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Lashana Lynch's Captain Marvel, Anson Mount's Black Bolt, and Chiwetel Ejiofor's Sorcerer Supreme.

Heroes fighting each other in Marvel Comics' Time Runs Out-1 - Marvel Comics’ Heroes Don’t Fight A Major Villain In The Lead Up To 2015’s Secret Wars

The concept of alternate heroes causing a threat during an incursion event is reminiscent of a storyline straight out of Marvel Comics. There have been speculations about Marvel Studios potentially adapting Jonathan Hickman's Time Runs Out narrative from 2014. This storyline occurred just before the epic Secret Wars event in 2015. In Time Runs Out, instead of facing a common enemy, the heroes of Earth-616 and Earth-1610 were portrayed struggling to prevent the incursion from annihilating their respective universes. Their solution often involved finding a way to eliminate the other Earth, even if it meant going against their fellow superheroes.

After it is revealed that 616 and 1610 are the only two universes remaining in existence, all hope seems lost. Some heroes are focused on finding a way to destroy the other reality, while others are exploring ways to survive the impending incursion. This scenario could serve as a thrilling conclusion to the MCU's Multiverse Saga. There are rumors that the events of Time Runs Out could be featured in Avengers 5 and Doctor Strange 3, leading up to Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, where the Battleworld storyline is adapted after the destruction of the multiverse. This approach would also eliminate the necessity of introducing a replacement for Kang the Conqueror.

Marvel Studios Focusing On Incursions Will Make Phase 6’s Avengers Movies More Personal

Doctor Strange looking through other universes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - Marvel Studios Focusing On Incursions Will Make Phase 6’s Avengers Movies More Personal

By focusing on the idea of incursions destroying the multiverse instead of a single powerful antagonist, Avengers 5 and Secret Wars can be transformed into more personal and intimate projects. This shift in focus could address criticisms of recent Marvel Studios projects lacking the human touches that earlier MCU stories were known for, with a renewed emphasis on character development. This approach may showcase heroes grappling with moral dilemmas and others displaying acts of heroism, ultimately paving the way for a soft-reboot of the MCU.

Marvel Studios is rumored to be planning a soft-reboot of the MCU post Avengers: Secret Wars, similar to how Marvel Comics revamped their universe after the 2015 Secret Wars event. This reboot could be effectively set up by adapting Time Runs Out and Secret Wars, potentially resulting in the loss of several characters during the incursion event. By positioning incursions as a more menacing threat than previous villains like Thanos or Kang the Conqueror, the impact on the MCU post Phase 6, particularly in films like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, could be profound and long-lasting.

Avengers 5 is currently scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, and will be followed a year later by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027, concluding Phase 6 and the Multiverse Saga.

Editor's P/S:

This article presents a compelling argument for Marvel Studios to pivot away from Kang the Conqueror as the primary villain in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and instead focus on incursions as the overarching threat. The concept of incursions, where universes collide and threaten to destroy each other, has the potential to be a more complex and nuanced villain than a single physical character. By removing the need for a physical villain, Marvel Studios can shift the focus to the moral dilemmas and personal struggles faced by the heroes as they grapple with the threat of universal annihilation. This approach could lead to a more emotionally resonant and thematically rich narrative in Avengers 5 and Secret Wars.

Additionally, the article explores the possibility of adapting the Time Runs Out storyline from Marvel Comics, where heroes from different Earths clash to prevent the destruction of their respective universes. This scenario could create a unique and thrilling conclusion to the Multiverse Saga, with heroes facing the ultimate choice of sacrificing others or finding a way to survive the impending incursion. By embracing incursions as the central antagonist, Marvel Studios has the opportunity to craft a compelling and thought-provoking story that sets the stage for a new era of the MCU.