In December, Jonathan Majors was sentenced in a case of violence against his former partner. Marvel quickly distanced itself from the actor following the trial, while offering no details about Kang the Conqueror's future. There were rumors that the studio was looking for a replacement for Majors, with another actor playing the antagonist in the studio's next projects. From the latest article by The Hollywood Reporter we learn that Marvel will abandon Kang completely and change the direction of the story in the MCU, prioritizing the quality of future productions.
Marvel is making changes and abandoning Kang the Conqueror
The studio is excited to welcome the first trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as the announced cast of Fantastic Four. Kevin Feige is already seeing the impact of the changes he ordered in the MCU's creative direction. Some decisions are not visible at first glance, but The Hollywood Reporter claims that Agatha: Darkhold Diaries was scheduled to be filmed over five days in early February, but all the shots were filmed in one day. The quick work should have added to the optimism of the crew and cast, who want to make the series premiere in time for this year.
Marvel is also interested in next year's blockbuster blockbusters. Eric Pearson, who previously worked on story revisions for Thor: Ragnarok, was hired to improve the Fantastic Four script. The studio has also hired Joanna Callow to work on the screenplay for the Thunderbolts movie. The screenwriter previously had the opportunity to work, among other things, on the famous Bear. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story in Thunderbolts was supposed to focus on a group of villains and heroes who set out on a mission at the end of which they were supposed to die. It was supposed to be a tragic story inspired by Rogue One from the Star Wars universe.
However, the biggest change compared to the previous plot in the MCU is the resignation of Kang the Conqueror. Marvel was supposed to make this decision after the commercial and financial failure of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantomania, and the conviction of Jonathan Majors only convinced Marvel's management of the need to find a new opponent for the second saga. For this reason, Avengers 5 will get a new title that will not refer to Kang.
Behind the scenes, no one is calling Marvel's latest effort a reboot of the universe, but some see them as major changes meant to set a new course for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The studio will focus on fewer projects being created at once and focus on improving those projects currently in production. For this reason, many films and series have been postponed for later years so that Marvel can guarantee their quality and regain viewers' trust.
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