The Future of the MCU: Does It Really Need Kang?

The Question of Kang's Necessity

The recent news of Jonathan Majors being dropped from the MCU has left fans wondering about the future of the Multiverse Saga and the role of Kang the Conqueror. With Marvel's announcement to continue with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty without Majors, the question arises: Does the MCU really need Kang?

Jonathan Majors as the central members of the Council of Kangs - Immortus, Rama-Tut, and Scarlet Centurion

Marvel had been setting up Kang as the primary antagonist for phases 4-6, known as The Multiverse Saga. However, with the actor's departure, the status of this project has been thrown into question. While there have been discussions about recasting Kang with different actors, some argue that the MCU may not need Kang anymore. Let's delve into the reasons behind this debate and explore the potential alternatives for the MCU's future phases.

Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror on his throne in Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania

The Case Against Kang

Despite the buildup, Kang hasn't been heavily involved in many storylines within the MCU. The Kang Dynasty was intended to center on the villain, similar to Thanos in The Infinity Saga. However, Kang has only appeared in two projects: Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Both depictions of Kang were subsequently defeated, with loose ends left to tie up. This raises the question of whether Kang's role in the MCU is already complete.

Jonathan Majors' He Who Remains flanked by Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) in Loki season 1.

Loki season 2 provided a potential way to resolve Kang's narrative off-screen, utilizing the concept of God Loki and the TVA's mission to track Kang's variants. Additionally, the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars has been set up more effectively than a Kang War, offering a more satisfying conclusion to The Multiverse Saga. The focus on multiversal conflicts and incursions in various MCU projects suggests that the narrative could move forward without the need for Kang.

A Kang the Conqueror statue in the Loki season 2 premiere

The Role of God Loki and the Future of the Multiverse Saga

The dramatic conclusion of Loki season 2 saw Tom Hiddleston's Loki assuming the role of the God of Stories, which could be utilized to conclude the Kang narrative. Loki's actions in preserving the multiverse and the TVA's mission to track Kang's variants provide potential off-screen resolutions. Furthermore, the setup for Avengers: Secret Wars and the exploration of multiversal conflicts in recent MCU projects offer a compelling alternative to a Kang-focused storyline. With these elements in place, the MCU could continue its narrative without the need for Kang.

Jonathan Majors as Victor Timely standing in the TVA in Loki Season 2 Episode 4