Marvel’s original plans for Kang the Conqueror and the overarching Multiverse Saga offer fascinating insights into the ambitious scope of the MCU’s future. As both a formidable villain and a time-traveling enigma, Kang is at the heart of this massive saga, which weaves together multiple timelines, universes, and heroes. Here’s a breakdown of what was planned and how it has been reshaped to fit the evolving needs of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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## 1. **Kang’s Role as the Multiverse Saga’s Central Villain**
Initially, Kang was conceptualized as a *Thanos-level threat*, anchoring the next phase of the MCU by challenging heroes across various timelines and realities. After his brief introduction as He Who Remains in *Loki* Season 1, Kang’s multi-faceted nature was set to unfold in *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, marking him as a more cerebral and elusive villain than Thanos. His complex relationship with time and the multiverse was designed to introduce fans to a new kind of threat, one that couldn’t be defeated in a straightforward physical battle.
## 2. **The Expansive Multiverse Arc**
The multiverse itself was to play a more intricate role than in previous sagas. With the Sacred Timeline unraveled by Sylvie at the end of *Loki*, Marvel planned to explore divergent timelines and alternate universes more heavily, as hinted in projects like *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and *Spider-Man: No Way Home*. Each movie and series would introduce new universes, where heroes—and even villains—could encounter alternate versions of themselves, ultimately leading to a collision of realities known as *Incursions*.
## 3. **Young Avengers and Multiverse-Based Heroes**
Marvel initially mapped out a gradual integration of younger, multiverse-connected heroes, including *America Chavez* (who can open portals to alternate realities) and *Kid Loki*, each bringing new elements to the multiverse storyline. This plan anticipated that Kang’s timeline exploits might attract the attention of heroes from across the MCU’s extended roster, including members of the Young Avengers, who share connections to time manipulation and alternate realities.
## 4. **Multiple Kangs Across Phases**
Marvel’s initial plan was to introduce several Kang variants, each with a distinct personality and goal. This would have included:
– *Rama-Tut*: An ancient Egyptian ruler who could have been introduced in either *Moon Knight* or a future *Fantastic Four* storyline. – *Immortus*: A future version of Kang, possibly emerging as a more ominous and patient manipulator in the saga’s later phases. – *Scarlet Centurion*: Another powerful variant potentially making his debut in a cosmic storyline.
By weaving multiple Kangs into different timelines and universes, Marvel intended to create an ever-present threat that could affect various realms of the MCU, from Earth-bound heroes to cosmic adventurers.
## 5. **Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars**
The endgame for Kang’s arc was meant to culminate in *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*, inspired by the 2015 comic storyline where different realities collide. Originally, Marvel planned to have *The Kang Dynasty* set up a multiverse war among the Kang variants, as each tried to consolidate power over the multiverse. This would lead to *Secret Wars*, a convergence where entire realities crash together, creating the *Battleworld*, a patchwork universe ruled by the most dominant Kangs.
The multiverse saga’s finale would involve various heroes from alternate universes joining forces to combat a god-like Kang figure, leading to an epic, cross-dimensional showdown. This would have allowed Marvel to revisit iconic heroes and storylines, offering fans a look at alternate versions of beloved characters.
## 6. **Adjustments and Expansions in Recent MCU Plans**
Due to the complexities of the multiverse plotline, Marvel has recently been refining the saga to simplify certain aspects for clarity and pacing. While Kang remains central, his role may be more streamlined, focusing on a few key variants rather than a multitude of identities. Additionally, there are discussions about expanding or restructuring *Secret Wars* to accommodate the broader MCU storyline while ensuring it’s accessible to a wide audience.
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## Conclusion
Marvel’s original plans for Kang and the Multiverse Saga reveal an expansive, layered storyline meant to be even more complex than the Infinity Saga. With time-traveling variants, alternate heroes, and a massive multiverse war, Kang’s character is intended to test the MCU’s heroes in new and challenging ways. Adjustments may come, but Kang’s role as the next grand antagonist remains crucial to shaping the MCU’s next epic saga. Fans can anticipate seeing their favorite characters and fresh faces engage in a storyline that redefines the boundaries of heroism across time and space.
