Recasting Kang: 15 Actors Who Could Replace Jonathan Majors In The MCU

Nov. 3, 2023, 4:31 p.m.

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Recasting Kang: 15 Actors Who Could Replace Jonathan Majors In The MCU

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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 MCU ahead of 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, Jonathan Majors was found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment in December 2023 after his initial arrest in March, leading Marvel to drop the actor from the franchise upon the guilty verdict. Despite this, the MCU will reportedly move forward with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, even after dropping the villain's actor himself from the franchise. At this point, no official comment has been made by Marvel Studios or Disney beyond parting ways with Majors, so replacing Kang altogether is still possible. However, keeping planned narrative threads in place seems like the easier move by far.

Related Avengers 5 - Release Date, Cast, & Story Details Avengers 5 promises to bring an unprecedented war to the MCU, with thousands of Kang variants set to face a New Avengers team.

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 pass, 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.

Related 10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Every Kang Appearance In The MCU So Far Rewatching Kang the Conqueror in the MCU's Multiverse Saga may come with some harsh realities after recent developments for the major villain.

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 join 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 upcoming 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.

5 Denzel Washington Could Nail An Older Kang

Training Day (2001), Remember The Titans (2000), Man On Fire (2004), Fences (2016)

One of the benefits of recasting Kang is that age is no issue. Given there are infinite Kangs across the multiverse, there'd be no justification needed if Majors' replacement is markedly older or a bit younger. In fact, a change in age could help distance the new version from the one audiences have seen before.

If an older Kang is in consideration, there is perhaps no better choice to play him than the acclaimed Denzel Washington. An actor whose filmography speaks for itself, Washington has been a Hollywood mainstay for decades, delivering action and drama in equal parts. The actor's trademark intensity fits Kang perfectly, and it's easy to imagine the actor delivering impassioned monologues and going toe-to-toe with any actor in the MCU.

4 Sterling K. Brown Has Already Had A Small MCU Role

This Is Us (2016-2022), The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016), Black Panther (2018)

Sterling K. Brown has taken on acclaimed roles on both the big and small screen and the charismatic actor has shown incredible diversity in who he brings to life. Equally at home in high-octane action flicks (Hotel Artemis) and character-driven dramas (This Is Us), Brown consistently shows instant chemistry with his co-stars and has an undeniably magnetic presence on screen. Moreover, it's clear he's down for a superhero movie role.

Brown consistently shows instant chemistry with his co-stars and has an undeniably magnetic presence on screen.

Though his part was brief, Brown makes the most of his scenes as N'Jobu, brother of King T'Challa and father of N'Jadaka (Killmonger). As is the case with his other roles, Stern brings calm confidence to N'Jobu, portraying a man who is at once calm, confident, conflicted, and proud. The MCU has repeated actors before when their initial role was small, and Brown's previous work makes it clear he'd be able to lead an ensemble project and bring menace to Kang with undeniable humanity underneath the monologues.

3 Mahershala Ali Can Be Earth-616's Kang

Moonlight (2016), The Green Book (2018), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Mahershala Ali has already played one MCU role, and he's set to headline his own film in another. However, he'd still be the perfect Kang replacement. Ali is a widely acclaimed actor, having won prestigious awards like dual Academy Awards (Moonlight and The Green Book). He simply adds to to any movie or TV show he's in with his effortlessly cool stage presence and penchant for subtly showing intense inner turmoil.

Mahershala Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. He's also the only Black actor to have ever won two Academy Awards in the same category (Best Supporting Actor).

The "issue" is that Ali is already set to play Blade in the hero's titular solo movie in the MCU. However, that doesn't mean he can't also play Kang. Audiences have seen Kang from different timelines, but there's so far not one from the main Earth-616. Blade could simply be the MCU's variant whose life took him down a different path.

Related All Marvel Movies Nominated For Oscars & How Many They've Won Marvel has had a decades-long run of critically and commercially successful movies, but their history at the Academy Awards may be surprising.

2 Aldis Hodge Already Nailed 1 Superhero Role For DC

Straight Outta Compton (2015), Black Adam (2022), The Invisible Man (2020)

Although Hodge has been working in show business for years, the actor broke out with his portrayal of MC Ren in Straight Outta Compton. From there, he's starred in a wide array of projects, from the high-tech re-imagining of The Invisible Man to the heist thriller TV show Leverage. Of course, Hodge will be familiar to superhero movie fans for portraying Hawkman in the DCEU's Black Adam.

While Black Adam failed to impress critics or kickstart the franchise it clearly planned to inspire, Hodge was undeniably one of the high points of the flick. Effortlessly charismatic, Hodge elevates a character who could easily have been far more one-note and forgettable amid the CGI action. However, leading the Justice Society of America proves Hodge has what it takes for a leading role in a superhero movie, and stepping into the shoes of the villainous Kang could be a tempting pitch to get him back into the genre.

Related Aldis Hodge's Hawkman Is One Character The New DCU Must Keep The DCU looks to be headed in a completely new direction, but Aldis Hodge's Hawkman should return, and his comic book history makes that possible.

1 Gugu Mbatha-Raw Could Build On Loki Season 2's Best Theory

The Cloverfield Paradox (2016), The Morning Show (2019), Loki (2021)

British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw has achieved a huge level of acclaim over her two-decade-long career, which has seen her take on a wide variety of roles across many genres. This range makes her perfect to assume the role of Kang the Conqueror, and this would add weight to theories explaining details revealed in Phase 5's Loki season 2. Mbatha-Raw debuted as TVA Judge Ravonna Renslayer in Loki season 1, and her connection to He Who Remains was established further in season 2. Many have theorized that she may be revealed as a Kang the Conqueror variant, which, if true, may see Mbatha-Raw assume the role in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.