With Victor Timely appearing in the second season of Loki, let’s take a look at seven other Kang variants we want to see in the MCU.
The second season of Loki is returned to Disney+ on October 5, and that means one thing: the return of Kang!
As seen in trailers and featurettes, Kang’s latest return comes in the form of his variant Victor Timely, Kang will most likely cause multiversal drama and problems for Loki and Mobius, which could mean something even more exciting: we could be meeting more than just one or two of Kang’s variants in the MCU. I say in the MCU because even though he was introduced in Loki‘s first season, he’s not just a Loki problem – he’s a giant problem for the entire MCU.
With the fifth installment in the Avengers movie line’s title being Kang Dynasty, it’s very easy to assume he’ll be playing a big part in movies and shows from this point on. Though we’ve seen an entire council made of Kang variants, we haven’t actually met any other than He Who Remains and the Conqueror himself. We’ve seen brief moments of Immortus, Scarlet Centurion, and Rama-Tut in the mid-credit scene in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and got bits and pieces of information on what’s really going on, but we need to see more of Kang to understand just how much trouble the multiverse is.
The origins of Kang the Conquerer
Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, Kang’s first appearance was in the comic book The Avengers #8 in 1964. Kang is a time-traveling conqueror with ridiculously advanced technology and so much scientific knowledge that Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange, and Tony Stark wouldn’t be able to compete with him.
Born in the 31st century as Nathaniel Richards, he discovers time travel technology created by Victor Von Doom, who is also known as Dr. Doom, and uses it to travel through time, taking on different names and personas throughout history. Kang’s ultimate goal is to conquer all of time – super predictable. He’s often depicted as a threatening enemy of the Avengers, fighting them with his sophisticated weaponry, battle armor, and excellent strategy. The complexity of his character is unveiled in every one of his different variants throughout time, each revealing different aspects of his personality.
So… a man with these many faces means we’d see more of them before his time is up, right? Let’s talk about 7 specific Kang variants we’d like to see in the MCU, playing their integral parts in different movies, scenes, or shows, in no particular order.
7. Kangaroo The Conqueror
Imagining Kangaroo the Conqueror, a variant of Kang the Conqueror, introduced into the MCU is an exciting and refreshingly humorous thought that has the potential to infuse a dose of levity into the often intense and action-packed MCU universe – especially with this Phase.
Kangaroo the Conqueror could serve as an entertaining and lighthearted pinpoint, much like Spider-Pig, creating a playful and engaging narrative arc. Viewers would enjoy watching a variant of the biggest bad guy who is not just bent on domination but gives us a version of Kang we can at least like or laugh at. This variant can offer audiences both amusement and relief, all while maintaining the integrity of the MCU.
Also, by introducing Kangaroo the Conqueror, the MCU would only further the diversity and innovation already present in its storytelling. The incorporation of such a fun and unique character could prove to be a much-needed hit, providing an opportunity for writers and filmmakers to exercise their creativity in bringing to life a character that is both compelling and comical.
6. Immortus
Though we have briefly seen Immortus during the mid-credit scene in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, this Kang variant would introduce a level of intrigue and complexity that audiences would love. With his unique perspective as the future incarnation of Kang, Immortus embodies the weariness of eternal existence, providing a sharp contrast to the youthful ambition and conquest-driven nature of Kang, his earlier self.
Immortus would give viewers a bridge to explore themes of time, change, and the consequences of absolute power, going beyond the typical superhero narrative by addressing philosophical and existential questions.
The very nature of Immortus, a character who transcends villainy and embodies a profound understanding of time’s inevitable march, would add a fresh and exciting dimension to the MCU and well as expand its narrative horizons further into the realm of time travel and multiverse exploration. Immortus’ deep knowledge of the time-stream could set the stage for quite the spectacle, exploring divergent timelines, alternate realities, and matters of choice and destiny.
5. Mister Gryphon
Introducing Mister Gryphon would present the MCU with an opportunity to explore a character unlike any other. Mister Gryphon, a version of Kang who stays in the 21st century as a businessman, demonstrates a different kind of cunning and strategic thinking, contrasting sharply with other variants of Kang who are more prone to being villains and combative.
Mister Gryphon’s corporate prowess would be a refreshing distraction from the typical physical battles that superheroes often face, showing a different kind of struggle against power and influence. Seeing the Avengers or other superheroes navigate corporate deceit and political shenanigans would add a fresh, engaging layer to their stories, and provide a context for exploring real-world issues of corporate influence and ethics within the MCU.
Another edge Mister Gryphon would give to stories would be the fact heroes would have to deal with an enemy who is not just physically formidable, but also excels in manipulation, the arts of deceit, and strategy in the corporate world. This could lead to fun, refreshing, and unexpected alliances, betrayals, and plot twists. Mister Gryphon’s unique position as a businessman with knowledge of the future would make him a wild card in the MCU: unpredictable and always several steps ahead of the heroes.
4. Rama-Tut
Though we have also seen a glimpse of him during the same mid-credit scene from Quantumania, Rama-Tut’s introduction into the MCU could open up a lot of storytelling opportunities exploring human nature, power, and the consequences of time travel.
This variant of Kang is a pharaoh who rules ancient Egypt with an iron fist – which is a unique historical context that has not been fully explored in the MCU. His reign, his interactions with the ancient Egyptians, and his ridiculously advanced technology would provide the perfect stage for intense drama, action, and historical exploration of science and how it evolves in the MCU.
It would also give us a bunch of Stargate vibes with the combination of ancient Egyptian aesthetics with futuristic technology, and it would help bridge the gap between the past and the future, offering fresh plot points and even different types of storytelling that MCU fans have yet to experience.
Rama-Tut’s character development is another compelling reason to include him in the MCU. His internal conflict, the transformation from a tyrant to a person seeking redemption, and his eventual journey to become the time-traveling Kang the Conqueror would add flavor and challenges to the stories within the MCU and the parts he plays in them. This would also be an excellent opportunity to include the Fantastic Four in the same movie, as he is one of the enemies they encounter in the comic books.
3. Scarlet Centurion
Scarlet Centurion would also present new opportunities for Marvel to explore within the MCU. In the comic books, Scarlet Centurion is a variant of Kang who chose to abandon his time-conquering aspirations to rule in ancient Egypt as Pharaoh Rama-Tut in the 20th century.
This version of Kang is rich with history, power dynamics, and moral complexity. His storyline explores the personal and universal consequences of choosing domination over time, with a story that deals with themes of power, corruption, redemption, and the unyieldingly constant flow of time itself.
Incorporating the Scarlet Centurion into the MCU would not only offer an engaging storyline but would also kick open a door full of visuals and themes for the filmmakers to explore. As with Rama-Tut, the ancient Egyptian aesthetic would be brought to life in beautifully cinematic detail, adding a fresh visual dimension to the MCU.
The combination of advanced technology and ancient civilization, just like with Rama-Tut as this is basically a “continuation” of his, could be innovatively displayed as the Scarlet Centurion straddles different eras, using advanced and futuristic weapons but in the age of pharaohs. His emotional journey, from conqueror to potential redeemer, would offer a lot of opportunities for deep character development, enriching the MCU’s emotional resonance and depth and giving us an even deeper look into the mind of a technological genius.
2. Kid Immortus/Iron Lad
Kid Immortus and Iron Lad’s addition would add a fresh look into Kang himself. Kid Immortus, who is also Iron Lad, is a younger version of the Kang the Conqueror we know, who is already set to make an impact in the MCU. This character in particular is fascinating and would be fun to bring into the MCU because he embodies the internal struggle between good and evil, showcasing the human capacity for change and redemption.
Despite being destined to become a tyrant, Iron Lad is determined to walk a different path and makes it happen – which gives fans a character who is relatable, sympathetic, and inspiring. We’ve had characters who have had a change of heart, but Kid Immortus/Iron Lad’s self-discovery and self-intervention journey would be a different kind of redemption arc. His personal journey of self-discovery, atonement, and growth, would explore the themes of identity, fate, and choice within the MCU and this powerful enemy.
Iron Lad’s addition to the MCU would also add to the youthful dimension within the superhero lineup. As a younger character, he would resonate with younger audiences, providing them with a relatable figure facing the fun times that are adolescence and the moral balancing between power and responsibility – much like Spider-Man, except this kid was a villain first.
His relationship with other young heroes like Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man himself, and Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye, would offer engaging and diverse team dynamics, building the foundation for the future generation of MCU superheroes and giving us a really fresh point of view in stories.
1. Nathaniel Richards himself
The introduction of Nathaniel Richards before he became Kang would be a treat for both ardent comic fans and casual viewers alike. Nathaniel Richards, a 31st-century scholar and a supposed descendant of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), embodies a unique blend of intelligence, vulnerability, and moral ambiguity.
Unlike the absolute power and control showcased by Kang, Nathaniel Richards’ character is someone constantly fighting with his future destiny as a conqueror, which would provide an intriguing internal conflict to the richness of the MCU storyline. The contrast between his pursuit of knowledge and the inevitability of becoming a villainous conqueror would make things a little more spicy and fill the story with with suspense, action, and emotional depth.
Also, Nathaniel Richards’ character could serve as an essential bridge to tying together different elements within the MCU, especially the Fantastic Four and the Young Avengers. His historical connections would create a perfect link between the past, present, and future of the MCU, offering a smooth integration of different eras and characters within the expansive universe. His interactions and relationships with other characters in the MCU would set the stage for significant crossovers, and the exploration of his character would allow viewers to take a peek into the lore of Marvel Comics with a better picture of these interconnected stories and characters.
With those seven Kang variants in mind, there are plenty of good reasons to include them in the MCU. With the next Avengers installment, Kand Dynasty, two years away (I know, it makes me sad too), these additions would be perfect to help explore Kang’s character a little deeper and understand just how big of an impact he’s had in the Marvel universe.