Kang's Presence And The Multiverse May Cause A Problem For Avengers 5
The emergence of Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) as the major enemy of the MCU multiverse presents an issue for Avengers 5. Following the events of the Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios is in a moment of change as they re-establish the franchise's power structures, with characters such as Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the new Captain America, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), taking on new leadership responsibilities. Meanwhile, new individuals are revealed who will play crucial parts in the next big plot in the MCU. Kang, who initially appeared in Loki as He Who Remains, is one of them.
The MCU alluded to the possibility of the multiverse as early as Phase 3, but it wasn't until Phase 4 that it became a significant plot aspect. It was alluded to in WandaVision, but Loki directly addressed it with the creation of the Time Variance Authority/TVA and the concept of variants – other incarnations of characters from various realities. He and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) ultimately encountered He Who Remains, the originator of the TVA and a less-ruthless form of Kang, by the end of the Tom Hiddleston-led series. Despite his death, the episode effectively foreshadowed Kang's upcoming appearance, prompting many to assume that he will be the franchise's next great villain after Thanos (Josh Brolin).
Majors' next confirmed cameo in the MCU will be in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where he will play the main antagonist. There's a chance he'll make an appearance in other films before then, but it's reasonable to presume his genesis backstory will be told in the Peyton Reed-directed threequel. As the multiverse becomes the franchise's latest version of the Infinity Saga, it will probably also appropriately set him up as the franchise's next big crossover enemy. All of this will very certainly culminate in an Avengers movie, similar to what transpired in Avengers: Endgame. However, any major climactic battle with Kang should be avoided in Avengers 5, as it is far too soon to witness the conclusion of Marvel Studios' new overall narrative. To put things in perspective, the Infinity Saga took several years and three stages to develop. Even if Marvel Studios delays Avengers 5 to Phase 5, it would still be far too early for a critical incident, especially considering the high standard that Avengers: Endgame established. So, if the MCU's new crossover tale is actually about the universe and its demise, what does Kang do in the meanwhile as he awaits the story's rightful conclusion? It doesn't appear realistic that Marvel Studios will put him on the sidelines while other narrative threads develop.
Given how the universe's near-future is shaping out, it's possible that the MCU's next crossover event won't be about the multiverse. With efforts like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there has been a definite concentration on this specific storyline in Phase 4. The search for the Infinity Stones didn't become evident until Avengers: Age of Ultron was far into Phase 2. Despite Thanos' existence was proven in The Avengers, his plot didn't proceed much at that time, allowing Marvel Studios to pace his storyline and postpone his appearance in Avengers: Infinity War. Kang the Conqueror may be subjected to the same approach, but given his prominent role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, it doesn't seem likely. While Thanos featured in several MCU films before his formal debut, his appearances were generally quick and glorified cameos.
Instead of the universe, the next crossover for the brand may be Secret Wars, with Disney+'s Secret Invasion serving as a launching point. Assuming this is correct, Kang, like Loki in the MCU Phase 1, might be the antagonist of the new Avengers lineup for Avengers 5. But, contrary to popular belief, he will not be the franchise's new Thanos.
The MCU alluded to the possibility of the multiverse as early as Phase 3, but it wasn't until Phase 4 that it became a significant plot aspect. It was alluded to in WandaVision, but Loki directly addressed it with the creation of the Time Variance Authority/TVA and the concept of variants – other incarnations of characters from various realities. He and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) ultimately encountered He Who Remains, the originator of the TVA and a less-ruthless form of Kang, by the end of the Tom Hiddleston-led series. Despite his death, the episode effectively foreshadowed Kang's upcoming appearance, prompting many to assume that he will be the franchise's next great villain after Thanos (Josh Brolin).Majors' next confirmed cameo in the MCU will be in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where he will play the main antagonist. There's a chance he'll make an appearance in other films before then, but it's reasonable to presume his genesis backstory will be told in the Peyton Reed-directed threequel. As the multiverse becomes the franchise's latest version of the Infinity Saga, it will probably also appropriately set him up as the franchise's next big crossover enemy. All of this will very certainly culminate in an Avengers movie, similar to what transpired in Avengers: Endgame. However, any major climactic battle with Kang should be avoided in Avengers 5, as it is far too soon to witness the conclusion of Marvel Studios' new overall narrative. To put things in perspective, the Infinity Saga took several years and three stages to develop. Even if Marvel Studios delays Avengers 5 to Phase 5, it would still be far too early for a critical incident, especially considering the high standard that Avengers: Endgame established. So, if the MCU's new crossover tale is actually about the universe and its demise, what does Kang do in the meanwhile as he awaits the story's rightful conclusion? It doesn't appear realistic that Marvel Studios will put him on the sidelines while other narrative threads develop.Given how the universe's near-future is shaping out, it's possible that the MCU's next crossover event won't be about the multiverse. With efforts like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there has been a definite concentration on this specific storyline in Phase 4. The search for the Infinity Stones didn't become evident until Avengers: Age of Ultron was far into Phase 2. Despite Thanos' existence was proven in The Avengers, his plot didn't proceed much at that time, allowing Marvel Studios to pace his storyline and postpone his appearance in Avengers: Infinity War. Kang the Conqueror may be subjected to the same approach, but given his prominent role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, it doesn't seem likely. While Thanos featured in several MCU films before his formal debut, his appearances were generally quick and glorified cameos.Instead of the universe, the next crossover for the brand may be Secret Wars, with Disney+'s Secret Invasion serving as a launching point. Assuming this is correct, Kang, like Loki in the MCU Phase 1, might be the antagonist of the new Avengers lineup for Avengers 5. But, contrary to popular belief, he will not be the franchise's new Thanos.
Share this article
Advertisement