Jeremy Renner recently discussed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s lost plans involving Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, shedding light on the ambitions Marvel had before Majors’ dismissal. The revelation comes amid ongoing uncertainty about the character’s future in the MCU, highlighting the impact of the actor’s legal troubles.
Jeremy Renner Reflects on Marvel’s Original Vision for Kang
Jonathan Majors was poised to become one of the MCU’s major villains, set to headline significant upcoming projects as Kang the Conqueror. However, after Majors faced assault and harassment charges that led to his firing, the studio’s planned trajectory for the character was abruptly halted. Majors’ rapid fall from grace, after being crowned a prominent villain in both the MCU and the Creed series, left many wondering about the original direction for Kang and how Marvel will proceed.
On The Breakfast Club podcast, Jeremy Renner was asked about the situation, especially in light of his own past experience with public accusations involving his ex-wife. While Renner stopped short of revealing much detail, he acknowledged the scale of Marvel’s plans for Kang, saying,
“I don’t know. I don’t know what the difference is between gossip and anything else,”
Renner said.
“I don’t know enough about Jonathan and his situation to know. I know they had big plans for that character, that’s for sure. Whatever transpired…that sucks, I think. The due diligence really has to be played out.”
The Ambitious Role Kang Was Meant to Play in Upcoming MCU Films
The “big plans” Renner mentioned appear tied to Kang’s pivotal role as the central antagonist in the Avengers: Kang Dynasty (now reportedly Avengers: Doomsday) and the Secret Wars storylines. Reports suggested that numerous versions of Kang would have featured prominently, possibly establishing the character as one of the most extensively explored villains in the MCU’s history. This narrative approach would have capitalized on Kang’s time-traveling nature, introducing complex variants across multiple films.
Alongside these blockbuster appearances, Marvel had hinted at further storylines exploring Kang’s alternate identities. Jonathan Majors was rumored to portray Rama-Tut, an Egyptian-themed incarnation of Kang, hinting at a potential time travel-focused film revolving around this variant. These plans underscored the character’s importance and the intricate web Marvel intended to weave around Kang’s presence in the franchise.
Uncertain Future for Kang and Marvel’s Responses
Following the fallout from Jonathan Majors’ legal issues, Marvel now faces the challenge of reconfiguring the character’s future within the MCU. The loss of such a high-profile villain disrupts ongoing story arcs and calls for careful casting and storytelling decisions to maintain narrative continuity. Fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely as the MCU seeks to stabilize its plans for the upcoming slate of films centered around Kang’s complex mythology.
Jeremy Renner’s commentary not only reveals the scale of Marvel’s original ambitions but also reflects the broader tension surrounding the shifting landscape of the franchise amid unforeseen disruptions. How Marvel chooses to address Kang’s place going forward will likely influence the direction of the MCU’s multiverse and its overarching conflict themes in the coming years.
