Speculation Mounts: Doctor Doom Set to Replace Kang in 'Avengers: Eternity Wars'
MCU fans speculate a new twist for Avengers: Eternity Wars as Doctor Doom emerges as a potential replacement for Kang Is this the opportunity for the notorious villain to make his mark in the franchise? Excitement builds as the possibility of a major character shake-up looms
Recent developments in the MCU have sparked speculation among fans of the franchise that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will feature a new villain and possibly undergo a name change. This speculation comes in the wake of accusations of assault and harassment made against Jonathan Majors, the actor who plays Kang the Conqueror, by his ex-girlfriend in March 2023.
Majors had already finished filming two upcoming MCU projects, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki Season 2. Additionally, he had been chosen as the main antagonist in The Kang Dynasty and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for release in 2026 and 2027.
Since then, Marvel Studios insiders have reported that the company is considering either recasting Majors as Kang or eliminating the character entirely from the MCU. These sources also claim that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and his team have explored potential replacements for Kang.
Is Doctor Doom replacing Kang for “Avengers: Eternity Wars”?
During the crisis discussions held by Marvel Studios, one of the characters mentioned was the renowned archenemy of Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom. Fans have eagerly awaited the introduction of this iconic character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nevertheless, there is currently no indication that Feige and his team have made the decision to swap Kang for Doom, although recent events have led some devoted MCU followers to believe that is indeed the case.
Kang Dynasty director Destin Daniel Cretton has stepped down (as reported by Deadline). While the official reason for Cretton's departure is his commitment to other MCU projects, many fans speculate that his exit signals the end of Kang's storyline. Consequently, a theory has emerged suggesting that the fifth Avengers movie will pivot to focus on Doom instead.
Of course, it may seem implausible to some for Doom to assume central antagonist duties in a film that is still named after another villain - but that's where the two other significant MCU developments come in. According to industry insider Jeff Sneider's latest newsletter, a source alleges that Marvel Studios plans to change the title of The Kang Dynasty, shortly after deciding to keep the trademark for "Avengers: Eternity Wars."
Considering this information, members of the MCU fanbase are now speculating if the truth about the supposed title change for Kang Dynasty is already apparent. As one fan posted on X, "Could Eternity Wars be a backup title for The Kang Dynasty in case they need to remove Majors?"
Has the MCU found its Mister Fantastic?
The fate of Kang Dynasty's antagonist and title remains uncertain, but speculation suggests that Doctor Doom's potential entry into the MCU aligns with the ongoing buzz surrounding the Fantastic Four casting. According to reports, Pedro Pascal, known for his role in The Mandalorian, is rumored to portray Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in the 2025 reboot. However, this casting has not yet been confirmed.
Vanessa Kirby, known for her role in The Crown, is currently considered the top choice to play Sue Storm, also known as Invisible Woman, alongside Richard. However, there has been no official announcement regarding this casting. Kirby herself addressed the speculation during red carpet interviews for the film Napoleon, stating that even she is unsure if she is involved with the upcoming Fantastic Four project. For the latest updates on MCU content, make sure to visit Dexerto's comprehensive coverage.
Editor's P/S
As an MCU fan, I'm thrilled at the prospect of Doctor Doom replacing Kang as the main antagonist in "Avengers: Eternity Wars." Doctor Doom is one of the most iconic and powerful villains in the Marvel Universe, and his introduction into the MCU has been long-awaited by fans. Kang is a formidable villain, but Doctor Doom is on another level. He's a master of magic, science, and manipulation, and he's always one step ahead of his opponents. I believe that Doctor Doom would make an excellent replacement for Kang and would pose a significant threat to the Avengers.
The potential title change from "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" to "Avengers: Eternity Wars" also excites me. "Eternity Wars" is a more epic and cosmic title that suggests a larger-scale conflict than "The Kang Dynasty." It also ties in nicely with the recent introduction of the Eternals into the MCU. I believe that "Eternity Wars" would be a more fitting title for the fifth Avengers movie, and it would set the stage for an even bigger and more exciting conflict than "The Kang Dynasty."
