Get ready to chuckle! An early pitch for the now-scrapped Avengers: The Kang Dynasty movie would've seen the Young Avengers snag a major victory against a Kang variant who was hilariously new to the supervillain game.
TL;DR: The Quick Hits on This Wild Marvel Revelation
- Writer Michael Waldron spilled details on an original Avengers: The Kang Dynasty pitch where the Young Avengers beat a Kang variant who had a "first day" card.
- This rookie Kang was likely the "lizard Kang" teased in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's post-credits scene.
- Marvel shifted away from Kang to Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.) for Avengers: Doomsday due to Jonathan Majors' firing and a desire for a "bigger" villain.
Alright, Marvel fans, buckle up because we just got a peek behind the curtain at what could have been one of the funniest and most unique moments in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe! Before all the major reshuffles and the pivot to Doctor Doom, the fifth Avengers movie was known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and it had some wild ideas brewing. Thanks to a recent Reddit AMA, Michael Waldron, the writer behind hit MCU projects like Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (and now co-writer for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday), pulled back the curtain on a truly memorable scrapped scene.
Picture this: the nascent Young Avengers, a team Marvel has been subtly building across its recent phases, finally coming together for a major battle. They're pumped, ready to prove themselves, and they manage to defeat a version of Kang the Conqueror. Imagine the triumphant cheers! But then, the twist: this particular Kang isn't the multiversal mastermind they expected. Nope, he's just a rookie, possibly the "lizard Kang" we briefly saw among the Council of Kangs in the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. And to cap it all off, he's carrying a little card that says, "Be Patient with him, it was his first day as a Kang." Talk about a comedic gut punch!
"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, Avengers: Doomsday Writer (via Reddit AMA)
Waldron shared this gem during an AMA session while promoting his new series, Chad Powers. He and Jeff Loveness, who also penned Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and was an early writer on The Kang Dynasty, apparently had a blast coming up with this idea. It perfectly blends the high stakes of a major Avengers film with the kind of irreverent humor fans have come to expect from writers with a background in shows like Rick and Morty. While it’s a shame we won't get to see this particular gag play out, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process and the kind of narrative gymnastics Marvel was considering.
Jeremy Renner has confirmed he won't be suiting up as Hawkeye for Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, but the door might still be open for a Hawkeye Season 2! Find out what's next for Clint Barton and the MCU's massive upcoming films.
The Big Shift: Why Marvel Pivoted from Kang and Embraced Doctor Doom as the New Big Bad
So, why did we end up with Avengers: Doomsday and Doctor Doom instead of The Kang Dynasty? The reasons are multi-layered, but primarily stem from two major factors. First and most publicly, the legal troubles surrounding actor Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang the Conqueror in Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, led to his conviction for assault and harassment in December 2023, and subsequently, his firing by Marvel Studios. This obviously necessitated a major creative overhaul, as Kang was set to be the overarching villain for the entire Multiverse Saga.
However, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige revealed that the discussions to pivot away from Kang actually began even before Majors' departure became a public issue. In a roundtable interview, Feige explained that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which heavily featured Kang, had a "disappointing" reception. More importantly, he stated that Marvel realized Kang might not be "big enough" to follow Thanos as the ultimate antagonist for the Multiverse Saga. "There was only one character that could be that, because he was that in the comics for decades and decades," Feige said, referring to Doctor Doom.
Thanks to the Fox acquisition, Marvel finally had access to the Fantastic Four characters, including their iconic nemesis. Feige confirmed that talks to bring back MCU legend Robert Downey Jr. in a new role as Doctor Doom had already begun before Quantumania even hit theaters. This wasn't a last-minute scramble but a "long plan" to utilize "one of our greatest characters" with "one of our greatest actors." The new direction was finally announced publicly at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, confirming Robert Downey Jr.'s return and the Russo Brothers (who directed Infinity War and Endgame) taking the helm for both Doomsday and its sequel, Secret Wars.
Big TV shake-up in Miami! Channel 7 WSVN is the new ABC affiliate after WPLG Local 10 and ABC part ways. Find out why and what it means for your favorite shows on MoviesMoly.
The Continual Build-Up of the Young Avengers: Are They Still on Track for a Big-Screen Appearance?
Despite the Kang Dynasty being scrapped, the Young Avengers' presence in the MCU feels inevitable. Marvel has been meticulously laying the groundwork for this new generation of heroes, introducing key members across various films and Disney+ series. Characters like Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Kate Bishop (Hawkeye), Cassie Lang (Stature), Monica Rambeau (Photon), Yelena Belova (Black Widow), Riri Williams (Ironheart), Billy Maximoff (Wiccan), and America Chavez (Miss America) have all had their moments in the spotlight, hinting at a future team-up.
The ending of The Marvels officially kicked off the recruitment drive, with Kamala Khan actively seeking out other young heroes. So, while Waldron's humorous pitch for The Kang Dynasty won't see the light of day, it's highly likely that the Young Avengers will still play a significant role in the Multiverse Saga's conclusion. Whether they'll feature prominently in Avengers: Doomsday or be saved for the even larger canvas of Avengers: Secret Wars remains to be seen, but their assembly feels like a core part of Marvel's long-term plan.
Comic book readers know that the Young Avengers' original storyline often revolves around their confrontations with Kang's younger self, Iron Lad. So, the idea of them fighting a Kang, even an inexperienced one, was a direct nod to their comic book roots. It demonstrates that the writers were keen on honoring that aspect of their mythology, even if with a humorous twist. This scrapped scene serves as proof that the Young Avengers were definitely on the minds of the creative team for what was meant to be the next big Avengers epic.
STV faces strong criticism for its plans to cut 60 jobs and axe its north of Scotland news program. Discover why these changes are causing concern for local journalism and what it means for viewers.
Glimpses into the Future: What We Know About Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars
With Avengers: Doomsday now confirmed to be directed by the Russo Brothers and featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the future of the MCU's Multiverse Saga looks drastically different but no less exciting. The film is slated to hit cinemas on December 18, 2026, with its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, following on December 17, 2027. These two films are set to conclude the epic Multiverse Saga, much like Infinity War and Endgame wrapped up the Infinity Saga.
The shift to Doctor Doom as the central antagonist brings a fresh wave of anticipation. Doom is a fan-favorite villain, a brilliant scientist, sorcerer, and ruler, known for his complex motivations and formidable power. His introduction as the saga's big bad promises a threat on par with, if not exceeding, Thanos, and provides a clean break from the Kang storyline. How Kang's previous appearances and the lingering threat of his variants (like the Council of Kangs) will be addressed in the new narrative remains a bit of a mystery. One article even suggested Kang "will simply never be mentioned again," which seems like a bold claim for such a major character, but highlights Marvel's desire to move forward.
While the initial pitch for The Kang Dynasty showcased a lighter, more humorous side, the current direction with Doom suggests a return to the grand, universe-altering stakes that the Russo Brothers are so adept at handling. Fans can expect a massive ensemble cast and epic conflicts as the MCU builds towards these two monumental films. The revelation of this scrapped Young Avengers plot just adds another layer to the fascinating "what if" scenarios that always surround such a vast and interconnected cinematic universe.
You Season 5 release date revealed! Discover when Joe Goldberg’s final chapter drops on Netflix, plus a deep dive into the explosive last season’s cast, plot, and iconic return to New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Next Avengers Movies
Sources
- Michael Waldron's Reddit AMA (October 28, 2025)
- Reports from ComicBook.com, IGN, GamesRadar+, GeekTyrant, and ScreenRant covering Waldron's revelations and Marvel's official announcements regarding Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.