“Marvel’s plan for him is the equivalent of sweeping it under the rug. Marvel will instead focus on other storylines while they take their time to build up Kang and the Multiverse again slowly behind the scenes. Some sources have even gone beyond that, to state that Marvel doesn’t intend to address him directly until we are practically near the end of The Multiverse Saga.

Sources state that there have been discussions and plans for other multiversal villains to step up to the plate in the upcoming phases. This is, of course, in an attempt to take control of the multiversal-sized vacuum left in the absence of Kang the Conqueror and his variants. But make no mistake, for better or worse, Marvel ultimately still intends to close out the Multiverse Saga with a Kang Variant as their final villain.”

Since The Cosmic Circus didn’t name its sources in their report, and none of the Trades have substantiated these claims, it’s best to approach this news as being rumors only. Rest assured, despite the loss of Majors in the MCU, The Multiverse Saga will trudge ahead and find its villain — whether it be Kang or another formidable foe.

Apocalypse or Doom for the MCU?

A Kang variant played by an entirely different actor could absolutely work as a way to keep the Conqueror’s character in position as the main villain for the conclusion of The Multiverse Saga. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans were treated to a trio of different Peter Parkers/aka Spider-Men portrayed by different performers. So, Marvel Studios could find a different actor to step into the role of Kang and face off against The Avengers in Phase 6. However, there are other formidable villains in Marvel comic books who would fit seamlessly into what has already been laid out by the President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige. And one such threat is Dr. Doom.

Before Iron Man officially launched the MCU in 2008, Julian McMahon played the villainous Dr. Victor von Doom in both The Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Fans who only saw these film entries likely don’t realize what the real Dr. Doom is capable of in the comic books — making Victor von Doom a worthy adversary for The Avengers to tangle with. The groundwork for Dr. Doom has already been laid out by Feige ever since he announced a new Fantastic Four film and Avengers: Secret Wars in Phase 6. Even having faced off against the likes of Galactus, the Frightful Four and Molecule Man in the source material, there’s little debating that Doom is one of if not the FF’s most dangerous foes. Add to the fact that Doom was involved in the comic book series Secret Wars (1984-1985), to say nothing of his super strength, Black Magic mastery and other dark gifts, these things make him a perfect foil for The Avengers.

Feige also announced the arrival of the X-Men in the MCU, so bringing one of their most dangerous foes, Apocalypse, into Phase 6 as The Avengers’ ultimate challenge seems to fit even better than Cinderella’s glass slipper. Oscar Isaac did everything possible with the inferior version of Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur), which he played in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). Fans only got a taste of what the comic book character is truly capable of. And what better way is there to usher in the X-Men era of the MCU than to have Apocalypse threatening the Earth in the pivotal Phase 6?

Perhaps, the fifth Avengers film can end with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes unable to stand against the mutant powers of “The First One.” And then, in Avengers: Secret Wars, The Avengers, Fantastic Four and the X-Men join forces to defeat En Sabah Nur. Or, if Feige wants to really give fans a reason to jump back on the MCU bandwagon after a number of lackluster entries, since the conclusion of The Infinity Saga, have the new variant of Kang the Conqueror, Dr. Doom and Apocalypse pool their evil powers and ambitions.

Regardless, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a number of outs should they decide to bench the character of Kang the Conqueror entirely now that Jonathan Majors has been fired. However, whether it be a Kang variant played by a new actor, Dr. Doom, Apocalypse or another worthy adversary from Marvel’s vast library of comics, Feige is arguably crafty enough to pull off Phase 6. Otherwise, the MCU might actually find itself facing a new opponent that could truly destroy everything moving forward… the DCU.