Young Avengers' Scrapped Kang Fight: MCU's Lost Story Revealed!

Turns out, the MCU's rising heroes were set to take on a very inexperienced Kang in the original Kang Dynasty script, and writer Michael Waldron just spilled all the juicy details about this wild, abandoned storyline!

TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Busy Fan

• Michael Waldron revealed an early Kang Dynasty pitch where the Young Avengers beat a "first day" Kang.
• This humorous scene was part of the original vision for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, before it was scrapped.
• The MCU has now pivoted to Avengers: Doomsday with Doctor Doom as the main villain, but the Young Avengers' official debut is still highly anticipated.

The Original Grand Vision for the Multiverse Saga's Next Major Threat

Remember when the MCU was all-in on Kang the Conqueror? It feels like ages ago, but it wasn't that long ago that Jonathan Majors' time-traveling villain was being set up as the next big bad after Thanos. We saw different versions of him pop up in Loki and then got a full dose of Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The whole Multiverse Saga was building towards a massive showdown in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Well, turns out the early plans for that film were even wilder than we knew! Michael Waldron, the genius behind Loki and a writer for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, recently dropped a bombshell during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session (on October 28/29, 2025). He shared a fantastic tidbit from the initial development stages of The Kang Dynasty, back when he and Jeff Loveness (who wrote Quantumania) were co-writing the script.

A Hilarious First Day on the Job: Young Avengers vs. Novice Kang Encounter

Waldron revealed a pitch that would have seen the MCU's burgeoning team of Young Avengers take on a Kang variant. And it wasn't just any Kang – it was a super green, totally inexperienced one. Imagine the scene: our new generation of heroes, high on their first major victory, only to discover their triumph came against a total rookie!

"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."

— Michael Waldron (from Reddit AMA, October 28, 2025)

Waldron even mused that this "first day" Kang might have been the "lizard Kang" briefly glimpsed in the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, though he admitted he wasn't entirely sure. This sounds like it would have been a perfect blend of high-stakes superhero action and the signature Marvel humor we all love. It's a classic setup that echoes the Young Avengers' comic book origins, where their debut often involves a confrontation with Kang's younger self, Iron Lad.

This scrapped idea is especially exciting because the MCU has been subtly building towards the Young Avengers for a while now. We've seen characters like Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Kate Bishop (Hawkeye), Monica Rambeau (Photon), Yelena Belova (Black Widow), America Chavez, Riri Williams (Ironheart), and even Billy Maximoff (Wiccan) from WandaVision. The end of The Marvels even featured Kamala actively recruiting Kate, making the team-up feel closer than ever. To imagine them kicking off their official team status by hilariously 'defeating' a Kang who’s just figuring things out? That would’ve been gold!

Unpacking the Major Shift: Why Marvel Decided to Pivot from the Kang Saga

So, why didn't this fantastic pitch, and indeed, the entire Kang Dynasty concept, move forward? The short answer often pointed to Jonathan Majors' legal troubles and his subsequent firing by Marvel Studios in December 2023 following his assault conviction. While that was definitely a major catalyst, it wasn't the whole story.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige himself shed more light on the situation in July 2024. He revealed that discussions to pivot away from Kang as the main villain had actually started before Majors' public issues came to light and even prior to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's release. Feige candidly admitted that Marvel began to realize that "Kang wasn't big enough, wasn't Thanos," indicating a creative concern about the character's long-term impact as the Multiverse Saga's overarching threat. The relatively disappointing box office and critical reception of Quantumania, which heavily featured Kang, likely reinforced these creative concerns.

This strategic re-evaluation led Marvel to seek a different, equally iconic villain. And that's where another fan-favorite, Doctor Doom, entered the picture. Feige confirmed that talks to bring in an "audacious idea" involving Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom had begun even before Quantumania hit theaters. This wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to a single event but a well-thought-out "long plan" to utilize one of Marvel's greatest characters with one of their greatest actors, a move made possible by Disney's acquisition of Fox and the Fantastic Four's rights.

Doctor Doom Ascends: The New Direction for Avengers: Doomsday and Beyond

With the Kang storyline officially behind them, Marvel Studios made a splash at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, announcing the new direction for the Multiverse Saga's conclusion. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was officially retitled Avengers: Doomsday, and the beloved Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony Russo), who famously directed Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, were confirmed to direct both Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. Even more exciting was the reveal that Robert Downey Jr., synonymous with Iron Man, would be returning to the MCU to play the iconic villain Doctor Doom, with Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely handling the script for Doomsday.

This pivot has dramatically reshaped the future of the MCU. Doctor Doom is a formidable foe from the comics, known for his intellect, magic, and political power. His introduction promises a fresh, epic conflict for the Avengers and other heroes. While Kang's ultimate fate in the MCU remains a loose thread (especially after Loki's second season finale, which offered a form of closure for one variant), the focus has clearly shifted to Doom. The stage is now set for a new kind of cinematic showdown, culminating the Multiverse Saga with these two massive films:

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

It's a bold new chapter, leveraging a character like Doctor Doom, who, as Feige noted, has been a major force in the comics for decades, ensuring the next Avengers saga lives up to the monumental scale set by Thanos.

Assembling the Next Generation: What's in Store for the Young Avengers?

Even though the Young Avengers' humorous "first day" Kang fight won't happen, their eventual formation in the MCU feels inevitable. The seeds have been sown across various Disney+ series and films, with numerous young heroes making their mark. Fans have been eagerly awaiting their official team-up, and Waldron's revelation confirms that Marvel had concrete plans for them to play a significant role in the Multiverse Saga.

So, where does that leave our young heroes now? While the initial cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday didn't explicitly include many of the Young Avengers, it's widely speculated they will have a presence, perhaps even making their proper debut in either Doomsday or Secret Wars. After all, the MCU is known for its surprises, and bringing in the next generation to fight alongside (or even rescue) the established heroes would be a fantastic way to pass the torch.

Beyond the main Avengers films, there are also persistent rumors of a dedicated Young Avengers project, possibly a movie or a Disney+ series tentatively titled Champions. Whether they join the fray against Doctor Doom, get their own series, or a combination of both, the future looks bright for this dynamic group. We can't wait to see Kamala Khan, Kate Bishop, and their super-powered pals finally assemble and leave their own indelible mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Your Burning Questions About the MCU's Future and Past Plans Answered

When is Avengers: Doomsday officially coming out in theaters? Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026 (USA). Who are the directors for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars? The acclaimed Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo, are returning to direct both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Will Jonathan Majors return as Kang in the MCU? Currently, Marvel Studios has moved on from the Kang storyline following Jonathan Majors' firing. While Majors has expressed an openness to return (citing the multiverse as a possibility), there are no current plans to bring back Kang or the actor in the MCU franchise. Which Young Avengers characters have already appeared in the MCU? Several Young Avengers characters have been introduced: Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Kate Bishop (Hawkeye), Monica Rambeau (Photon), Yelena Belova (Black Widow), Riri Williams (Ironheart), Billy Maximoff (Wiccan), America Chavez, and Cassie Lang (Ant-Man's daughter, who could become Stature/Stinger). Sources

• "Canceled Young Avengers & Kang Movie Plot Revealed by Doomsday Writer" by Anubhav Chaudhry (October 28, 2025)
• "Loki Writer Reveals Pitch That Would Have Seen The Young Avengers Defeat an Inexperienced Kang Variant in Scrapped Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" by Wesley Yin-Poole (Updated: Oct. 29, 2025)
• "Details from Marvel’s Scrapped Avengers Film Reveal One New Team Was Set to Play a Key Role" by Charles Murphy (October 29, 2025)
• "The Young Avengers’ Original MCU Debut Just Got Revealed, And It Involved Kang" by Klein Felt (October 28, 2025)
• "Avengers: Doomsday Writer Reveals Scrapped Kang Pitch Involving The Young Avengers" by Corey Chichizola (October 29, 2025)
• "Canceled Plans For Jonathan Majors in MCU: Young Avengers vs Kang Fight in Avengers: Kang Dynasty" by Ariane Cruz (October 29, 2025)