The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been no stranger to change, but the latest shift may be its most seismic yet. Following confirmation that Robert Downey Jr. will step into the role of Doctor Doom, speculation has mounted over who could replace Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror.
The post-Avengers: Endgame (2019) MCU has been riddled with challenges, and as fans await answers, the studio’s trajectory remains as unpredictable as the Multiverse itself.
Kevin Feige’s MCU, once an unstoppable juggernaut, has stumbled in the wake of its crowning achievement, Avengers: Endgame. Films like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) offered glimmers of hope, but overall, Marvel’s big-screen outings have struggled to regain their former glory. It hasn’t helped that this period coincided with the decline of Jonathan Majors, whose portrayal of Kang the Conqueror had been positioned as the linchpin of the franchise’s next era.
Majors’ legal troubles, including allegations of battery, assault, and defamation by his ex-partner Grace Jabbari, rocked the MCU. These issues culminated in the actor’s removal from the franchise, leaving fans and creators alike wondering what would happen to Kang. The Creed III (2023) star’s legal battles recently reached a resolution, with The Hollywood Reporter noting that the lawsuit was “favorably settled.” However, the damage to Majors’ MCU career appears somewhat irreversible, at least for big brands like Disney.
In a surprising pivot, Marvel has shifted focus from Kang to another legendary villain: Doctor Doom. During this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Kevin Feige announced the renaming of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Doomsday and confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. would take on the mantle of Victor Von Doom. The move marks a dramatic comeback for Downey Jr., whose Tony Stark/Iron Man served as the heart of the MCU for over a decade.
According to reports, Downey Jr. is set to debut as Doom in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), laying the groundwork for his central role in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). While fans are eager to see how the actor reinvents himself within the MCU, some remain skeptical about whether revisiting Downey Jr. is the best way to reinvigorate the franchise.
With Majors out, the question remains: what happens to Kang? The last audiences saw the character was in Loki Season 2, where his variant, Victor Timely, left a cryptic impression. Before that, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) saw Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly’s heroes face off against a more traditional Kang. However, Marvel has offered no clear indication of whether Kang will be recast, written out, or quietly forgotten.
Enter Colman Domingo. The Rustin (2023) star has been floated as a potential replacement for Majors. Though Marvel has not confirmed Domingo’s involvement, the actor has openly discussed meeting with the studio. “My team has had conversations with Marvel about some aspect of the MCU for years,” Domingo told Vanity Fair. He added, “I would welcome a conversation around it.”
In a more recent interview with Screen Geek, Domingo elaborated, saying, “I have had a meeting with Marvel, yes. But it wasn’t specifically about anything. They literally sat down and said, ‘What do you want to do?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know. What do you got for me?’” Domingo expressed interest in joining the MCU, emphasizing the importance of finding a role that resonates with him creatively.
While Domingo’s future with Marvel remains uncertain, his voice will be heard in the upcoming Disney+ animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Set in an alternate timeline, the series will feature Domingo as Norman Osborn, a character who mentors Peter Parker (voiced by Hudson Thames). This intriguing twist on the Spider-Man mythos highlights Marvel’s willingness to explore creative risks, even as its cinematic branch struggles to find its footing.
As for Kang, his departure could be handled in myriad ways. The Multiverse conceit offers the perfect excuse to recast the role or reframe the character entirely. However, given the magnitude of Kang’s presence in the comics and the MCU’s initial plans, bypassing the character altogether would likely disappoint fans.
Despite his fall from Marvel’s graces, Jonathan Majors appears to be rebuilding his career. His once-delayed film, Magazine Dreams, is now slated for a 2025 release, and the actor recently signed on for Martin Villeneuve’s Merciless. While his return to mainstream prominence remains uncertain, these developments suggest that Majors is not retreating from the spotlight just yet.
With Doctor Doom poised to take center stage, the MCU’s future hinges on how well it executes this transition. What If…? Season 3 is set to premiere on December 22, offering fans one last animated adventure before the studio’s next live-action chapter begins with Captain America: Brave New World in February 2025. Meanwhile, speculation about Domingo, Kang, and Marvel’s broader direction continues to fuel fan discourse.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Marvel’s Multiverse Saga is still a work in progress, and the studio’s ability to adapt will determine whether it regains its former dominance.
What do you think about Colman Domingo potentially joining the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
