Summary

• Marvel Studios is looking set to seemingly recast Kang the Conqueror in the MCU, having dropped Jonathan Majors from the franchise after he was found guilty of assault and harassment, but with Avengers 5 still currently going forward.
• Other viable candidates for the role of Kang the Conqueror include John David Washington, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Lakeith Stanfield, and Jeffrey Wright.
• Marvel Studios executives have been discussing options such as replacing Kang with another villain like Doctor Doom, but the multiverse allows for flexibility and the ability to recast the role.

After recent developments, Marvel Studios looks set to decide to recast Kang the Conqueror in the Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, replacing Jonathan Majors with a new actor for the remainder of the Multiverse Saga. After the Avengers defeated the Mad Titan Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, Kang the Conqueror was introduced as the new primary villain of the Multiverse Saga. Majors debuted as He Who Remains in Loki season 1 and has since appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki season 2 as further Kang variants, setting him up to be a major threat to the MCU.

However, eplacing Kang altogether is still possible. However, keeping planned narrative threads in place seems like the easier move by far.

15 John Boyega Is A Perfect Kang Candidate (But Might Not Be Willing To The MCU)

Attack The Block (2011), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), The Woman King (2022)

John Boyega's first feature film role was in Joe Cornish's British science fiction comedy Attack the Block in 2011, in which Boyega portrayed a teenage gang leader. However, he is perhaps better known as FN-2187, a.k.a. Finn, in the Star Wars sequels, beginning in 2015's The Force Awakens. Subsequent roles in Detroit, Small Axe, and The Woman King have proven that Boyega has the range to take on a role as demanding as Kang the Conqueror.

Nevertheless, Boyega mentioned during a 2022 interview with Men's Health that a role in the MCU is "not in the vision for [him] now," as he wants to continue taking more nuanced roles. Read his full comment below.

That's not in the vision for me now. I want to do nuanced things. I want to donate my services to original indie films that come with new, fresh ideas, because I know it's real hard to top Iron Man in that universe.

However, as days and years , it's impossible to rule out someone changing their mind. A particularly attractive script or impressive cast could win Boyega over if he is indeed offered the part.

14 Will Smith Has A Superhero Movie History That Could Benefit The MCU

Independence Day (1996), I Am Legend (2007), King Richard (2021)

Despite Will Smith being the focus of controversies following the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, his status as one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, and his $9.3 billion total box office gross makes him an incredibly desirable star. Marvel Studios has sometimes risked hiring actors with questionable pasts, including Robert Downey Jr. himself, so an MCU role for Smith could be on the cards. He has demonstrated incredible versatility over his almost four-decade-long career, making him perfect for Kang.

Moreover, Smith has already dabbled in superhero roles in Hancock, Suicide Squad, and, to an extent, the Men in Black franchise. Beyond those, he's certainly no stranger to big-budget sci-fi in general. At this point, Kang is likely to only appear a few more times in the MCU, so a low-commitment but major role make work for someone of Smith's pedigree.

13 Chukwudi Iwuji Has Proved He Can Perfectly Play MCU Villains

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Peacemaker (2022), Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Nigerian and British actor Chukwudi Iwuji may have already assumed a powerful role in the MCU as the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but his impact in the role turned viewers' heads. Following his MCU debut, theories arose suggesting the High Evolutionary may be a variant of Kang the Conqueror, which could lead to Iwuji replacing Majors as Kang in the MCU's future. His experience in classical theater fits the character of Kang the Conqueror perfectly, and he has already demonstrated his ability to command sinister and nefarious personalities.

Using an existing actor to tie a Kang variant into an established character could be a smart move

While recasting Kang will be easy for the MCU to explain due to the vastness of the multiverse, using an existing actor to tie a Kang variant into an established character could be a smart move. Though the MCU Phases 4 and 5 have been divisive, the High Evolutionary is arguably its best villain so far. Taking advantage of that to bring back Chukwudi could be the perfect way to take advantage of that success.

12 John David Washington Is A Talented & Popular Kang Casting Choice

BlacKkKlansman (2018), Tenet (2020), The Creator (2023)

John David Washington followed in his parents' footsteps with his shift to acting following a professional football career, with his first main role being Ricky Jerret in HBO's Ballers in 2015. Since then, Washington has expanded his repertoire significantly and become one of Hollywood's most coveted stars, with roles in BlaKkKlansman, Tenet, and Malcolm & Marie shooting him to stardom. John David Washington is an incredibly popular name in modern-day cinema, so a role in the MCU could be around the corner for the actor.

Washington seems perfect to match the stoicism, strength, and mysticism of Kang the Conqueror should Majors be replaced. Moreover, Washington seems to be in that perfect sweet spot for Marvel - proven with a few successful projects but not quite a household name. A turn as Kang could be just what the star needs to step fully into the A-list.

11 Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Could Move From The DCEU's Final Villain To The MCU's Biggest Villain

The Get Down (2016), Aquaman (2018), The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

After making his professional acting debut in 2016's The Get Down as Clarence "Cadillac" Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has taken on many strenuous roles in a variety of projects. Perhaps best known as David Kane, a.k.a. Manta, in 2018's Aquaman and its sequel, and as Morpheus in 2022's The Matrix Resurrections, Abdul-Mateen already has experience in huge film franchises. he is also set to the MCU as Simon Williams, a.k.a. Wonder Man, in Marvel Studios' Wonder Man series.

However, with the recent speculation concerning Kang the Conqueror, Marvel Studios may decide to shift Abdul-Mateen and have him take on double duty. As discussed, retconning a character to be a Kang variant is the perfect way to expand the role of a successful Marvel actor, and Abdul-Mateen is certainly a proven enough talent to warrant a role as big as Kang.

10 Lakeith Stanfield Could Make Kang More Sympathetic

Straight Outta Compton (2015), Get Out (2017), Judas & The Black Messiah (2021)

Lakeith Stanfield's first acting role was in Destin Daniel Cretton's short film Short Term 12 in 2008, which was transformed into a feature film in 2013. Cretton later went on to direct the MCU's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Since then, Stanfield has become an actor that viewers associate with high-quality stories, particularly with his Academy Award-nominated role in Judas and the Black Messiah, and a starring spot in FX smash-hit series Atlanta.

He has a huge amount of experience playing very human roles, which could inject extra relatability and sympathy into Kang the Conqueror. This may be a great way to smooth the recasting transition. While Cretton is no longer attached to direct an Avengers movie, having started acting with a director who's enjoyed his time in the MCU may increase Stanfield's interest in the role.

9 Jeffrey Wright Deserves A Live-Action MCU Appearance

Casino Royale (2006), Westworld (2016), The Batman (2022)

Star of stage and screen, Jeffrey Wright already has a role in the MCU as the voice of What If...?'s Watcher, though since this role is voice only, it's possible he could portray a live-action MCU character as well. Wright's memorable voice, experience playing the sinister but lovable Bernard in Westworld, and previous roles in action-heavy projects such as the James Bond and Hunger Games franchises make him perfect for the powerful role of Kang the Conqueror. Jeffrey Wright is a highly acclaimed actor who would fit the villain role to a tee.

Wright excels at portraying characters with innate likability, which could go a long way to humanizing Kang and making him a more compelling villain. Wright would, of course, play an older version of the Conqueror than Majors, which isn't a problem given the magic of the multiverse. Wright may not be as physically imposing as Majors, but he can certainly bring a level of intellect and inner contemplation to the role.

8 Jamie Foxx's MCU Character Is From Another Reality

Ray (2004), Django Unchained (2012), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Jamie Foxx has had an incredible career, starring in an incredibly wide array of movies spanning budgets and genres. Though Foxx got his start in show business with stand-up comedy, he's proven that he's equally adept - and perhaps even superior - at action and drama. Most telling for his potential turn as Kang, though, is that despite earning impressive nods from the biggest awards ceremonies in the movie and music industries, he's never stopped embracing genre projects.

In addition to powerhouse performances in grounded dramas like Ray, for which he won an Academy Award for best actor, Foxx starred as the villainous Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Slick Charles in the criminally under-watched They Cloned Tyrone, the vampire-hunting Bud in Day Shift, and more. Locking in someone with the pedigree of Foxx to play Kang would be a huge draw for the MCU's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Even though Foxx's Electro has appeared in the MCU, given he's from a different timeline, there's no conflict.

7 Caleb McLaughlin Could Play A Younger Kang

Stranger Things (2016), Concrete Cowboy (2020), Shooting Stars (2023)

While Caleb McLaughlin has had several roles in a variety of projects, he is known best as Lucas Sinclair in Netflix's Stranger Things. McLaughlin has had a fantastic screen presence since debuting in Stranger Things at only 15-years-old, and viewers have watched him grow into an actor capable of taking on the role of a younger Kang the Conqueror. Since Kang's MCU debut, there have been suspicions that his young variant, who becomes the superhero Iron Lad, will be introduced, and McLaughlin could be the perfect candidate to portray this younger version.

Going younger could allow the MCU to tweak Marvel Comics canon a bit and show a younger hero like Iron Lad complete his transformation into Kang. Right now, only basics about Kang's backstory have been expressed, leaving the door open for a more detailed an interesting history to be told. It's unclear what Marvel Studios' long-term Kang plans are, but a younger actor would also allow the villain to stick around after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

6 Regé-Jean Page Could Continue His Rise In The MCU

Bridgerton (2020), The Gray Man (2022), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Regé-Jean Page made his acting debut in 2001's Gimme 6 before making a series of guest appearances in projects including Waterloo Road, Fresh Meat, Roots, and Mortal Engines. In 2019, his leading role in Netflix's Bridgerton saw him rise to fame, and subsequent roles in The Gray Man and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves have proven that he has the versatility and presence to take on a role as huge as Kang the Conqueror. Marvel Studios has regularly taken on rising stars and skyrocketed them to immense fame, so Page may see this treatment.

Like other top contenders for the role of Kang, Page excels at exuding charisma on screen - a necessity for a Saga-spanning villain. Part of He Who Remains success in Loki is the villain's likability despite causing immense harm, and it's easy to imagine Page doing the same. A likable, charismatic Kang also stands in contrast to the more stoic and burdened Thanos, helping differentiate the big MCU villains.