Why Ravonna Renslayer Could Be the Perfect MCU Replacement for Kang, According to Fans

Jonathan Majors, initially set to portray the next main villain in the iconic movie franchise, was recently convicted of assault and harassment, leading Marvel Studios to terminate his employment. This marks the end of a tumultuous year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has faced challenges both creatively and in terms of audience engagement. With the abrupt departure of Majors, the main question now is: what will become of the character Kang the Conqueror, who was intended to be the central antagonist in this era of the MCU? One possibility is to recast the role, a move previously undertaken by the franchise with other actors. While Majors has appeared in "Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania" and two seasons of "Loki," his presence is less substantial compared to other actors who have been recast. Therefore, it is unlikely that audiences have developed strong attachments to Majors in this role.

If Marvel decides to pursue recasting, it might be acceptable, or at the very least not any worse than the current situation. However, I have a different suggestion that Marvel may have already initiated: It's time for Ravonna Renslayer to take center stage.

At this point, it's difficult to discern what exactly transpired in Loki Season 2, as it felt quite abbreviated in its final two episodes. It appears that whatever storyline was intended for Ravonna, portrayed by the talented Gugu Mbatha-Raw, was abruptly cut off. While Ravonna didn't have as much screen time in Season 2 as expected, it did propel her onto a new trajectory, free from the influence of He Who Remains and Kang, who had been her superior for an eternity.

In Season 2 of Loki, Ravonna's tale begins with a paradox as she and Miss Minutes journey back in time to the 1800s. There, they deliver a Time Variance Authority field manual to a child named Victor Timely, a variant of He Who Remains from the main Marvel continuity. Despite their later attempts to recruit Victor, Loki's interference halts their efforts. Miss Minutes is unimpressed with Victor, declaring that he will never compare to He Who Remains. Ravonna's opposition to Loki continues until Sylvie forces Hunter X-05 to prune Ravonna and send her to the end of time. It's there that Ravonna discovers He Who Remains' corpse and learns about her own past. Uncovering that she was once He Who Remains' top general in the previous multiversal war, unaware due to her memory being erased, drives Ravonna to make a final stand.

This marked her final appearance on Loki, as she was noticeably absent from the Season 2 finale except for a brief, unclear shot of her still lingering at the end of time. Her storyline was left unresolved.

With her motivations and backstory, Ravonna emerges as a wildcard in the MCU, making her a prime candidate to take the place of Kang. Mbatha-Raw is a talented actress who would bring a different dynamic to the role compared to Thanos or Kang. Her sympathetic backstory, having suffered mistreatment from a former boss despite her skills and loyalty, leads her to believe she can do the job better and feels an obligation to do so. These clear motivations enable audiences to understand and relate to her, fulfilling the desire for a complex villain in the MCU.

Marvel is keeping Kang's story under wraps for a planned Avengers movie in 2025, leaving us in the dark about his character. Meanwhile, Ravonna is firmly established and offers a strong alternative as a villain. With uncertainty surrounding the schedule, she may be the most creative and accessible choice.

However, the behind-the-scenes situation at Marvel Studios has become quite chaotic after The Marvels failed to meet expectations and the rest of the 2023 slate did not leave much of an impact. The franchise has been fragmented for the past couple of years, lacking a coherent overarching thread in the MCU. Kang/He Who Remains was only mentioned in Loki and Quantumania, leaving the door open for Marvel to take the story in any direction. Making Ravonna the new main antagonist would be the most straightforward and logical choice, as the groundwork for this has already been laid.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am intrigued by the possibility of Ravonna Renslayer replacing Kang as the main villain. Gugu Mbatha-Raw's portrayal of Ravonna in "Loki" Season 2 showcased her acting prowess and the character's potential for depth and complexity. Her journey from being a loyal follower of He Who Remains to discovering her true identity and motivations sets the stage for a compelling narrative arc.

Moreover, Ravonna's unique backstory and motivations provide an opportunity for the MCU to explore different dimensions of villainy. Unlike Thanos, who was driven by a misguided sense of balance, or Kang, whose motivations are still shrouded in mystery, Ravonna's personal experiences and desire for redemption offer a more nuanced and relatable character. This could resonate with audiences and create a compelling antagonist for the heroes of the MCU.