Avengers 5 Villain Shakedown: Jonathan Majors Replaced

With Joe and Anthony Russo returning to direct the fifth and sixth Avengers movies, a major question emerges: who’s the next big villain?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the fifth Avengers movie will undergo a significant rebranding. Originally titled “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” the plan has changed following the legal issues surrounding Jonathan Majors, who was set to portray Kang.

Majors faced accusations of assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. After a trial, he was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of harassment and sexual assault. In April, Majors received a year’s sentence of domestic violence counseling but avoided jail time due to a clean prior record.

Marvel Studios severed ties with Majors following his conviction. Before this, Destin Daniel Cretton, initially set to direct the fifth Avengers installment, had already departed. With these developments, Avengers 5 will shift to a new title and focus. Although it lacks an official title and confirmed villain, it is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026.

The sixth Avengers movie, however, will retain its “Secret Wars” storyline. The Russos have expressed interest in adapting this plot, derived from a 1980s comic series where Beyonder, a formidable villain, pits Marvel’s heroes and villains against each other on Battleworld.

In a 2015 comic revival, the multiverse saga continued, leading to the collision of the Marvel 616 Universe with the Ultimate Marvel 1610 Universe, resulting in the destruction of both. After this, parts of the shattered universes combined to form Battleworld, ruled by Dr. Doom.

With a set release date for May 7, 2027, for the sixth Avengers film, and its core plot and villains established, the Russos must decide who will rise against the Avengers in the fifth film. Until then, speculation abounds on potential replacements for Kang.

Mephisto

One of the prime candidates could be Mephisto, often referred to as the Marvel Universe’s devil. Rumors suggest he might appear in the upcoming Ironheart series. Mephisto represents a fusion of science and magic and once served Thanos, before betraying him to unleash Hell across multiverses.

Mephisto is a demon ruling an extra-dimensional realm he calls Hell to exploit human beliefs. He ties into various storylines, like Agatha Harkness in the Disney+ series “Agatha All Along” and even Scarlet Witch, if Marvel decides to bring her back.

The Grandmaster

Another candidate is the Grandmaster, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. As one of the Elders of the Universe, the Grandmaster excels in all games of skill and chance. He wields the power primordial, making him virtually immortal and capable of manipulating cosmic forces.

Given his abilities to transport himself and wield weapons, the Grandmaster presents a formidable adversary. Additionally, Goldblum’s portrayal was a standout in Ragnarok, and fans would likely embrace his return.

Namor

Namor, introduced in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is another potential villain. Played by Tenoch Huerta, Namor is depicted as the king of Talokan, an underwater kingdom powered by vibranium. His superstrength, flight, and other abilities make him a formidable enemy.

Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler described Namor as “kind of an asshole, kind of romantic, and just incredibly powerful.” This complex characterization could make Namor a compelling foe for the Avengers.

Kang the Conqueror

Lastly, there’s the option to retain Kang the Conqueror. Despite the controversy surrounding Majors, Marvel fans would likely accept a recasting. Kang is a genius with no superhuman powers, armed with advanced technology and a time-ship, giving him access to machinery from any era.

The Russos have a stellar track record with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having directed hits like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Their films have grossed $6.681 billion, with Endgame alone making $2.79 billion worldwide, the second highest-grossing film ever.

Since their Marvel successes, the Russos have become major producers with AGBO, delivering projects like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Netflix’s Extraction franchise. As they helm Avengers 5 and 6, fans eagerly await their decision on the next big villain.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter