Kang the Conqueror is considered a central character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga. However, recent legal troubles surrounding actor Jonathan Majors have forced Marvel Studios to rethink its plans, including removing Kang from various future projects.
Despite the significant void left by Kang, Marvel has swiftly moved to introduce four new major characters into the MCU. Along with a potential return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom—the “final boss” of the Multiverse Saga—audiences can expect to see familiar faces like Ultron, the villain of the Avengers, Kingpin, the new crime lord of New York, and the cosmic threat Galactus. These are some of the most notorious villains in Marvel comic lore, potentially placing them on par with Thanos or Kang the Conqueror.
Introducing Four New Major Characters in the MCU
Recently, Marvel Studios confirmed that at least four major characters will be included in Phase 6 (starting in 2026) of the MCU. Fans have already encountered two of these four characters through previous projects, including Kingpin (played by Vincent D’Onofrio) and Ultron (James Spader).
Kingpin is regarded as Marvel’s “Thanos of the streets,” with a level of ambition and ruthlessness that rivals the Titan. He typically operates on a smaller scale, often in New York City, where he serves as a formidable foe for heroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, and the Defenders. He has appeared in projects like Hawkeye and Echo, with the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again set to feature him. Meanwhile, Ultron, the main villain from the blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron, will return in Marvel Studios’ VisionQuest series.
Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson, will make his MCU debut in the blockbuster The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a film that will take place in a different reality within the Marvel universe. There have been rumors that Galactus will destroy the home planet of the Celestial beings, forcing him to “move” to Earth-616, the main timeline of the MCU.
Finally, Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom will don his role once again, portrayed by Marvel Studios’ “familiar face” Robert Downey Jr. Some sources indicate that Doom will have a cameo in The Fantastic Four: First Steps before becoming a central character in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Other Potential Characters in the MCU
Currently, Marvel Studios is not just focused on these four major characters, as the list of future projects reveals many more intriguing characters intended for audiences. Among these are well-known villains such as Mephisto, who has been recently mentioned in the Agatha All Along series, and Norman Osborn, a different version of Green Goblin, who will appear in the animated project Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Colman Domingo.
Looking more broadly, the MCU may also “borrow” characters from the SpiderVerse of Sony Pictures. This could include Knull, the progenitor of all symbiotes, who will officially rise to prominence in the upcoming blockbuster Venom: The Last Dance. Sony previously confirmed that this project was only the beginning for Knull, and if they continue to collaborate with Marvel Studios on Spider-Man-related projects, it is entirely possible for Knull to journey into the MCU in the future.
Finally, Josh Brolin, who previously portrayed Thanos, has also teased about returning as the Mad Titan in Avengers: Secret Wars, the largest blockbuster that Marvel Studios has ever produced, which will also serve as an opportunity to explore various iterations of beloved characters from the past. Two of Marvel’s most familiar faces, Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., are both rumored to return in different roles.
Why Does the MCU Need Many Different Characters Following Kang’s Departure?
The decision to explore multiple different characters comes at a time when the Multiverse Saga is set to conclude in about three years. This indicates a potentially greedy response from Marvel Studios. However, looking at the overall picture of the MCU, this may be one of the most appropriate and ambitious decisions made by Marvel thus far.
Firstly, there is a need for a significant number of characters to replace the various alternate versions of Kang the Conqueror. According to initial plans, the fifth Avengers film was intended to be titled The Kang Dynasty, focusing on the battle between the Avengers and multiple versions of Kang, which was teased in the post-credit scene of Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania. Therefore, removing Kang from future projects is not just an isolated case; it is part of a broader strategy involving numerous villains. This is precisely why the studio needs to explore different characters simultaneously.
Secondly, according to the original premise, Secret Wars will be a battle involving many different versions of both heroes and villains in the Marvel universe. Thus, there is a need for a significant number of characters, both for the main side and the villain side, to make this large-scale and spectacular battle possible. The distribution of roles to various characters will be entrusted to the Russo brothers, who previously delivered the successes of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Finally, there have been indications that the MCU will undergo a major reboot following the events of Secret Wars, potentially consolidating all timelines within the Marvel universe into a singular reality. All major characters set to appear in the future could serve as a foundation for the MCU’s future, allowing Marvel Studios to explore various story arcs. Most importantly, they will face the pressure of resetting after a significant project like Secret Wars. This is the reason why Marvel is currently “preparing for the storm ahead,” setting the stage for a far-reaching future as the Multiverse Saga approaches its conclusion.
Source: ScreenRant
