Kang’s Fate Made 1 MCU Multiverse Rule Even More Interesting

Kang’s fate in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania perplexes a foundational concept for the MCU’s multiverse. When WandaVision officially launched Phase 4 little was known about what to expect from the yet unconfirmed Multiverse Saga. The projects seemingly focused on characters’ recovery following the events of Avengers: Endgame, but it was Loki that truly started the Saga. It officially brought the MCU’s multiverse to life, introducing variants, alternate timelines, and most importantly, Jonathan Majors as He Who Remains. Upon his death, the multiverse effectively split open and paved the way for the rise and fall of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

His unexpected death set up a lot for the MCU. Particularly, the Council of Kangs are surely the ongoing antagonists going forward, although intriguingly, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania might’ve also teased another significant, powerful Marvel villain – Annihilus, according to one MCU theory. Regardless, Kang is surely a pivotal character in the ongoing Multiverse Saga, but he’s not alone. It was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that defined another as Kang’s equal in multiversal importance – Scarlet Witch. They’re not intrinsically linked yet, but their arcs are very interesting to consider in comparison, examining how their shared fates may play into upcoming projects.

Kang & Scarlet Witch Are Nexus Beings – So Why Were They Killed?

Significantly, both Kang and Scarlet Witch are defined as nexus beings. These are essentially beings who act as the foundational focal point for their particular universe’s adherence to the larger multiverse. Scarlet Witch is the nexus being for Earth-616, while Kang is the nexus being for his home universe – presumably Earth-6311 as in the comics. So far, they are the only confirmed nexus beings in the MCU, but others, such as Sylvie or even Loki himself, could also be redefined as such. This status marks them as essential to the multiverse and their universe’s stability, which makes their shared fate in their respective films, all the more interesting to consider.

Frankly, they were probably killed off because they’re too powerful for the time being. After unlocking the true scope of her powers, Scarlet Witch secured her spot as the strongest Avenger, and since she can essentially manipulate reality, using her right now is a bit of a cop-out. It’s just a shame that she’s become one of the most beloved characters in the MCU. As for Kang, he needed to die to pave the way for the Council and Victor Timely in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s post-credit scenes. They were killed off because the MCU is not ready to use them just yet, but that day will soon come.

Are Kang & Scarlet Witch Actually Dead?

Avengers: Endgame basically reversed Loki and Gamora’s deaths in Avengers: Infinity Wars, and surely the same can be done for both Scarlet Witch and Kang as well. Death is rarely permanent in the comics. Yet, them being defined as dead can be called into question as it may not be so simple. While Kang’s demise was shown in striking detail in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Scarlet Witch’s wasn’t in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. They solely showed her making Mount Wundagore collapse on itself and a strange flash of scarlet red light.

In neither of their cases was a body shown, which is basically a rule nowadays, so Kang is probably not dead. In fact, the intriguing use of red color and light in connection to his multiversal engine and how he was sucked into it rather than disintegrated might mean that he was actually transported and likely trapped elsewhere. The same could easily be said about Scarlet Witch, though she may have done so to herself, remorseful for her horrific actions throughout Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Their demises’ ambiguous nature and their telegraphed importance to the multiverse narrative surely means that neither Scarlet Witch nor Kang is dead.

Kang & Scarlet Witch’s Nexus Being Status Means They Must Return

While their current status is somewhat tough to call, it’s a safe bet that both Kang and Scarlet Witch will return to the MCU sometime down the line. As the only defined nexus beings, currently, they are the two most important characters essential to the Multiversal Saga. As for when they could be coming back, Scarlet Witch must return for Avengers: Secret Wars, although it would preferably happen before then. As such, some believe that the upcoming Disney+ series and WandaVision spin-off, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, is her best option currently. Perhaps there’s even a chance that Phase 6 could even include the Scarlet Witch movie she so rightfully deserves.

Fortunately for Kang, Jonathan Majors isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in the MCU. He’ll be part of Loki season 2, playing Victor Timely, who is at the center of a significant theory essentially claiming he is secretly Prime Kang in disguise. That would mean he was transported through time and space rather than being killed. Furthermore, his role as the various Kang variants sets up Avengers: The Kang Dynasty as his film. Theories suggest Kang can then be brought back into play after their defeat as the saga’s final antagonist. Avengers: Secret Wars’ logo does suggest another villain, but it may be signaling Kang’s upcoming evolution.

Kang & Scarlet Witch May Come Back In Unexpected Ways

Given their status as nexus beings and the sheer power and potential they hold, their return may look different from what some are expecting. In particular, Kang certainly wants revenge on his variants for exiling him in the Quantum Realm, which could then mean he might present himself as an ally to the heroes in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Kang as Victor Timely could persuade Loki to trust him – better the devil he knows than the devil he doesn’t. This type of arc could then play well with his return to power and transformation into God Emperor Kang, adapting Doctor Doom’s Secret Wars role.

Scarlet Witch’s role is all the more intriguing and exciting to consider. As the MCU is missing some essential Secret Wars villains still, such as Doctor Doom, the Beyonder, and Molecule Man, she could be an easy facsimile in Avengers: Secret Wars. Specifically, she could act as Molecule Man did in acting as the multiversal battery and using his vast reality-warping powers to create the second Battleworld. This can then lead to her fixing the multiverse, allowing the MCU to begin anew as the grand culmination of her redemption arc. Such proves that despite their current status, the MCU can do big things with Kang and Scarlet Witch.