The MCU Already Showed How It Can Make Doctor Doom Kang’s Multiverse Saga Replacement 5 Years Ago

It appears more and more probable that the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be introducing Doctor Doom as a major villain. Halfway through Phase 5, the studio is contending with a need to replace the Multiverse Saga’s main villain, Kang the Conqueror. The answer may very well lie in Doom.

The conviction of Jonathan Majors, who has portrayed Kang thus far, has placed the franchise in a tricky spot to possibly try to pull off a switch late in the game (if they don’t simply recast Kang). With Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot finally joining the cinematic universe in 2025, the possibilities are endless to introduce Doctor Doom, who primarily fights Reed Richards’ team. Despite how far into the Multiverse Saga the MCU already is, there is definitely a way to successfully replace Kang with Doom.

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Mysterio Already Showed How The MCU Can Introduce A Major Villain Late In The Game

Although Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) was only a villain in one movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home, his motives ran deep across the franchise. The character’s grudge is masterfully woven in a retconned narrative that includes Mysterio in the background of major MCU events, providing the character with greater depth while integrating him into the franchise’s larger narrative. As such, it would be entirely possible to successfully introduce Doctor Doom in a similar manner.

The MCU could very retroactively involve Doom in key events that have already occurred in the Multiverse Saga. It may be a tough sell after the Kang set-up was underway for so long, but it’s definitely possible, as demonstrated by Mysterio. The incorporation of Doctor Doom in the MCU’s background could go even further back than Phase 4, giving him a history during key events like the Battle of Sokovia, Captain America: Civil War, the Blip, etc., to really flesh out the character’s motivations.

Why Introducing Doctor Doom To The MCU Is Even Easier Than Introducing Mysterio

Mysterio may not have been burdened with becoming a multi-movie villain, but the character had some obstacles that an introduction of Doctor Doom would not. For one, Mysterio is a Spider-Man villain motivated by resentment against Iron Man, yet he is not the first villain that comes to mind when audiences think of either hero. In contrast, Doctor Doom is arguably the first villain that people think of for the Fantastic Four, who are making their debut shortly.

It would make unquestionable sense for Doctor Doom’s first appearance in the MCU to be in Fantastic Four, as this is the team he is known for facing off against. This, combined with the fact that his introduction to the MCU has been theorized for years now, with a recent report confirming that Doctor Doom was at least considered for Kang’s replacement, makes it that much easier to swallow. Even if fans never envisaged the villain’s entry into the MCU as the franchise’s main antagonist, he’s been expected, and that in itself makes him an easier sell than Mysterio was.

MCU’s Release Schedule Makes Doctor Doom The Safest “Thanos-Level” Kang Replacement

With the release of Fantastic Four around the corner, the MCU has a definite opening to tie Doctor Doom into its planned releases. Unlike other villains, who would need to be creatively shoehorned into existing projects or get their own films on the slate, Fantastic Four presents a built-in spot in the release schedule to introduce Doom. If Doom is made an appropriately menacing threat in his first appearance against the Fantastic Four, that may be all the MCU needs to overcome the Kang issue.

Technically, Thanos only had three appearances throughout the franchise prior to Avengers: Infinity War, which did the heavy lifting in establishing his strength as a villain. There is an opportunity for the MCU to build hype for the character through post-credits scenes, either in projects building up to or within Fantastic Four, and to use the film to provide the majority of the character’s development. There is certainly a path to success in replacing Kang with Doctor Doom if the MCU chooses to attempt it.