Avengers: Doomsday Writer Unpacks Wild Young Avengers vs. Kang Idea

Before Marvel shifted gears to Doctor Doom for "Avengers: Doomsday," writer Michael Waldron spilled the cosmic tea on an awesome, albeit hilarious, Young Avengers vs. "first day" Kang storyline that was almost part of the MCU's next big event.

TL;DR

Early drafts for the original "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" included a pitch where the Young Avengers would defeat an inexperienced Kang variant.
Marvel decided to replace Kang with Doctor Doom as the main villain for the newly titled "Avengers: Doomsday" after parting ways with actor Jonathan Majors.
"Avengers: Doomsday" is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, bringing together a massive lineup including the Fantastic Four and original X-Men.

Unpacking the Scrapped "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" Storylines

Alright, fellow Marvel fanatics, gather 'round! We've just gotten a tantalizing peek behind the curtain of what could have been for the MCU's next huge team-up event, "Avengers: Doomsday." Before Doctor Doom took center stage, the film was known as "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," and a recent revelation from a key writer has our Spidey-senses tingling with curiosity.

Michael Waldron, a name you might recognize from his brilliant work on "Loki" and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," recently participated in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything). During this session, he dropped some bombshells about early ideas for the now-scrapped Kang-centric film. When asked if anything from those initial drafts influenced "Doomsday," Waldron delivered a gem.

A Hilarious "First Day" Kang Variant Almost Fought the Young Avengers

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Imagine this: The MCU's burgeoning Young Avengers — a team fans have been desperately waiting to see officially assemble — gearing up for their first massive cosmic clash. They bravely face down a version of Kang the Conqueror, battling valiantly and ultimately emerging victorious! The crowd roars, the heroes celebrate, and then... record scratch

Waldron revealed that he and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" writer Jeff Loveness had pitched a scenario where the Young Avengers would defeat a Kang variant, only to discover a humorous twist. That particular Kang was carrying a little card that read, "Be patient with him, it was his first day as a Kang." Talk about a deflating, yet utterly hilarious, moment for our young heroes!

"Jeff Loveness and I spent an afternoon pitching on the Young Avengers defeating a version of Kang and being so stoked about it…only to discover that that particular Kang carried a little card that said to Be Patient with him, it was his first day as a Kang. And then they were so bummed. I think he was gonna be the lizard Kang from the end of Kang Dynasty? I don’t know. Anyway we had fun."

– Michael Waldron, "Loki" and "Avengers: Doomsday" Writer, Reddit AMA

Waldron even speculated that this "rookie" Kang might have been the "lizard Kang" glimpsed among the Council of Kangs in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." While it sounds like a perfect blend of action and classic Marvel humor, this storyline, unfortunately, won't be gracing our screens in "Doomsday."

The MCU's Pivotal Shift: Why Kang Had to Go

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So, why the major shake-up? Marvel Studios made a significant decision to pivot away from Kang as the central antagonist for the Multiverse Saga's grand finale. This move came after actor Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang across several MCU projects, was found guilty of harassment and assault charges in December 2023. Following this, Marvel officially cut ties with Majors, necessitating a creative re-evaluation of their overarching storyline.

This led to the official replacement of "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" with "Avengers: Doomsday," signaling a new direction and a new primary villain to challenge Earth's Mightiest Heroes. It was a tough situation for Marvel, but they've clearly decided to forge a new path for the Multiverse Saga's conclusion.

Doctor Doom Ascends: Robert Downey Jr. Returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

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With Kang out of the picture, Marvel needed a new big bad to carry the weight of an "Avengers" film. Enter: Victor Von Doom, better known as the formidable Doctor Doom! At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel dropped the massive news that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the MCU, not as Iron Man (sniff!), but as the iconic Latverian dictator himself.

This is a game-changer! RDJ stepping into the metallic mask of Doom brings a whole new level of anticipation. Doctor Doom is a fan-favorite villain, known for his intellect, magic, and unyielding ambition, making him a perfect fit to challenge the combined might of the Avengers and beyond.

Behind the scenes, the script for "Avengers: Doomsday" is now being led by Stephen McFeely, a familiar and beloved name to MCU fans. McFeely, along with his writing partner Christopher Markus, gave us some of the most epic stories in the MCU, including the entire "Captain America" trilogy ("The First Avenger," "The Winter Soldier," "Civil War") and the monumental "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame." His return, paired with Waldron, suggests a strong creative team steering the ship.

The Russo Brothers Are Back in the Director's Chair for "Doomsday" and "Secret Wars"

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And if RDJ's return wasn't enough to get you hyped, guess who's back to direct? The one and only Russo Brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo! These legends brought us "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War," and the two biggest Movies in the MCU, "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame." Their involvement instantly elevates the scale and gravitas of "Doomsday."

They're not just directing "Doomsday"; they're also slated to helm its follow-up, "Avengers: Secret Wars." This means the brothers who successfully navigated the sprawling narratives and massive cast of "Infinity War" and "Endgame" are returning to conclude the Multiverse Saga with what promises to be two of the most ambitious superhero movies ever made.

What We Know About "Avengers: Doomsday"'s Epic Plot

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While specific plot details for "Avengers: Doomsday" are still being kept tighter than Vibranium, some exciting hints have emerged. The film is expected to be a massive crossover event, bringing together various corners of the MCU like never before. Reports suggest we'll see the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and even the original X-Men sharing the screen for the very first time.

Just imagine the sheer roster of heroes! This kind of ensemble promises incredible character dynamics and epic battles. Production has reportedly wrapped on initial filming, though additional shoots might take place. Given the nature of these massive blockbusters, reshoots and additional photography are quite common to polish the final product.

Will the Young Avengers Still Make Their Grand Entrance?

Despite the "first day" Kang storyline being scrapped, the question remains: will the Young Avengers still have a role in "Avengers: Doomsday"? The MCU has been meticulously laying the groundwork for this new generation of heroes across Phases Four and Five. We've seen characters like:

Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel: From her own Disney+ series and "The Marvels," where she began actively recruiting.
Kate Bishop / Hawkeye: Trained by Clint Barton in "Hawkeye."
Monica Rambeau / Photon: Gained powers in "WandaVision" and featured prominently in "The Marvels."
Yelena Belova: The new Black Widow from "Black Widow" and "Hawkeye."
Riri Williams / Ironheart: Introduced in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and getting her own series.
Billy Maximoff / Wiccan: Wanda Maximoff's magically created son from "WandaVision."
America Chavez: The multiversal traveler from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
Cassie Lang: Scott Lang's daughter, who became Stature in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."

The ending of "The Marvels" famously showed Kamala Khan actively seeking out Kate Bishop, mimicking Nick Fury's original recruitment of the Avengers. This, combined with earlier leaked concept art for the original "Kang Dynasty" that included multiple teams of heroes (including the Young Avengers), strongly suggests that the younger heroes are still very much in Marvel's plans.

While their initial, humorous encounter with a newbie Kang might be off the table, it's highly plausible that they could still assemble to aid the veteran heroes against Doctor Doom, or even play a crucial role in "Secret Wars." There have even been rumors of a solo Young Avengers movie or a "Champions" TV series being in development, indicating Marvel's long-term commitment to the team.

Mark Your Calendars: Release Dates for the Next Avengers Sagas

Prepare yourselves, because the culmination of the Multiverse Saga is on the horizon!

Avengers: Doomsday: December 18, 2026 (USA)
Avengers: Secret Wars: December 17, 2027 (USA)

These two films are poised to wrap up the current overarching storyline of the MCU in truly epic fashion, promising unprecedented team-ups and a villain of Doctor Doom's caliber. Get ready for a wild ride!

Frequently Asked Questions About "Avengers: Doomsday"

Q: When is "Avengers: Doomsday" officially releasing?
A: "Avengers: Doomsday" is currently slated for release on December 18, 2026, in the USA.
Q: Who is directing "Avengers: Doomsday"?
A: The acclaimed Russo Brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo), who directed "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Endgame," are helming "Avengers: Doomsday" and its sequel, "Secret Wars."
Q: Who is the main villain in "Avengers: Doomsday"?
A: The primary antagonist for "Avengers: Doomsday" is confirmed to be Doctor Doom, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU to portray him.
Q: Will the Young Avengers appear in "Avengers: Doomsday"?
A: While the specific scrapped storyline involving an inexperienced Kang won't happen, the MCU has heavily teased the formation of the Young Avengers. Many fans and insiders expect them to have some presence in "Doomsday" or "Secret Wars" given their ongoing introductions in various projects.