1 Thing May Have Survived the MCU’s Cancelation of Kang (& It Could Be Controversial)

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Instead of constructing towards “The Kang Dynasty,” the MCU has made adjustments, but it doesn’t imply that all previous plans have been abandoned with the transition to “Avengers: Doomsday.” Following “Avengers: Endgame,” Kang the Conqueror was positioned as Marvel’s upcoming major antagonist, expected to shape the Multiverse Saga spanning Phases 4-6. Kang made his initial appearance as He Who Remains in “Loki” Season 1, and was introduced more thoroughly in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” However, following allegations of assault and harassment, Jonathan Majors was dismissed from his role. Instead of recasting, Marvel opted for a significantly different approach in their storytelling.

Robert Downey Jr., known for his role as Iron Man, is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe once more, this time portraying Doctor Doom. Instead of “The Kang Dynasty,” we’ll be seeing a tale called “Doomsday.” However, there are some plot points that still need clarification since Marvel didn’t completely resolve all elements related to Kang in the storyline for the fifth Avengers film. Central to these questions, particularly concerning the narrative of “Doomsday,” is Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man. Not only did he defeat Kang in “Quantumania,” but it appears his role as a crucial member of the Avengers remains unchanged, despite the shifting storyline.

Ant-Man Was Clearly Going To Be Key To Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

It’s plausible that Ant-Man will play a crucial part in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” since he previously defeated Kang in his debut movie. This time around, Ant-Man could utilize his insights about Kang (previously the Quantum Realm, now Kang himself) to support the Avengers in their struggle, offering them valuable intelligence and resources to vanquish him once more. The conclusion of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” finds Scott Lang concerned about Kang’s potential danger towards him, paving the way for a second encounter where he grapples with the implications of his initial victory over Kang and the ominous warning Kang gave about impending doom. In confusion, Scott asks, “Did we really beat him? I mean, yes, that happened… But he also mentioned something dreadful was on its way, and that everyone would perish if he didn’t escape. Wait. So, did I just cause everyone’s demise?

It appears that Scott’s decision to rejoin the action in “The Kang Dynasty” might have been influenced by this perceived threat. Given the post-credits scene in “Quantumania”, this situation would have brought the Council of Kangs into focus, setting the stage for a significant conflict over the control of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s multiverse. Given its magnitude, it’s reasonable to assume that Ant-Man would have reunited with the Avengers and contributed to the battle against various Kang variants.

It’s possible that such a move could have sparked debates or divided opinions, given the mixed reception that the Ant-Man movie “Quantumania” has received. However, this doesn’t diminish the appeal of Ant-Man as a character, nor Paul Rudd’s charisma. Unfortunately, “Quantumania” was not warmly accepted by critics, with a rating of 46% on Rotten Tomatoes making it the lowest-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe film to date. Additionally, its box office earnings of $476.1 million were lower than expected. Such underwhelming performance might not be ideal for establishing a major Avengers event, but there’s still a possibility that some aspects related to Ant-Man could still be included in the storyline.

Evidence That Ant-Man Will Be Important in Avengers: Doomsday (& Why)

Despite The Kang Dynasty marking an apocalyptic turn of events, it’s logical to assume that Ant-Man will play a significant part given his prominent standing within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As one of its long-standing characters, having been active for ten years, Ant-Man should be a key member of the Avengers team. This assumption is supported by the teaser from Destination D23 for Avengers: Doomsday, where his voice (reused audio) can be heard stating that he will be available if the Avengers require him.

The marketing of Ant-Man at Destination D23 strengthens the assumption that he will play a significant role in the upcoming movie. Notably, he was showcased with the Russos in a promotional video for the film, which doesn’t necessarily indicate his storyline, but it does emphasize him as one of the main characters. Additionally, DanielRPK mentioned on X that Scott will have an “important” role in Doomsday.

It’s plausible that Kang’s defeat may lead to further consequences, as the movie “Doomsday” seems to tackle this issue directly. Could it be possible that Kang’s demise triggered an incursion? Might this event be the reason Doom is now assaulting Earth-616? We can only speculate about Downey Jr.’s villain’s intentions, but they could aim to protect or dominate the multiverse, similar to Thanos, with a high price tag of life. Regardless, Kang’s death might have motivated him to focus on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s primary timeline, possibly due to the destruction left behind or because the threat of Kang no longer exists there.

If any of these scenarios is correct, Ant-Man’s history with Kang becomes a significant factor propelling the movie’s narrative. In these cases, his understanding of the Conqueror remains valuable for the Avengers as they seek to grasp the multiverse and potential dangers it faces. Furthermore, Doom’s emergence might evoke a powerful emotional reaction from Ant-Man, as he questions whether Kang’s death has somehow led to Doom appearing, regardless of whether that connection is valid or not.

It’s plausible that Ant-Man may perish in “Doomsday,” given the film’s darker tone and the need for significant deaths to emphasize Doom’s power and the gravity of the story as it leads into “Secret Wars.” Since Ant-Man has already completed a trilogy, but a fourth movie is doubtful due to box office performance, his demise could leave a profound emotional and narrative impact.

As a die-hard movie buff, I’m super excited to share that my favorite team, the Avengers, are back in action! Here are two dates you should mark on your calendar if you’re a fan like me:

First off, get ready for Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th, 2026. Can’t wait to see what epic battles and heart-pounding action await us!

Then, a year later in 2027, we have another blockbuster lined up – Avengers: Secret Wars, ready for you on December 17th. The anticipation is killing me already!

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2025-09-02 00:41