Credit: Marvel StudiosThe Infinity Saga set the bar for superhero movies after the Avengers took on the Mad Titan Thanos in what many consider the best Marvel Studios had to offer. After a finale that’s practically impossible to measure up to, the MCU has faced the dilemma of finding the next big thing for a whole new phase of the franchise.
While plans to introduce Kang the Conqueror for a multiverse-level threat were laid out as early as Loki on Disney+, the scandal surrounding Jonathan Majors’ abuse charges put the kibosh on that idea. However, a recent announcement from Marvel proves it isn’t out of options.
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In theory, Kang could still have a role to play if recast, rewritten, and reworked for an alternative storyline (or timeline), but the studio has a much bigger, better, and badder Avengers-level threat on the horizon. Doctor Doom and Galactus might not be far behind as Marvel prepares fans for the Fantastic 4 to hit the MCU.
Marvel Moves On From Multiverse
The catalyst for this multiverse-shattering event could arguably be traced back to Jonathan Majors, who was essentially being set up to be the next Thanos in the current Marvel storyline, but the aftermath of his domestic violence charges has left Disney and Marvel swamped in a PR nightmare.
An article from The Hollywood Reporter says it better with the following,
“Marvel is also cleaning up the creative mess left in the wake of Jonathan Majors, the once-rising actor cast to play the lynchpin villain role in the next Avengers movies but who in December was found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in a Manhattan court after a domestic incident with his ex-partner, a movement coach he met while working on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Marvel dropped Majors hours after the conviction and is rewriting those movies, which will now either minimize the character or excise him entirely.”
Although the character can always be recast and retooled, it seems like Marvel is dropping him altogether based on the next projects. With the introduction of The Fantastic 4, it could be implied that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting something of a soft reboot leading up to the introduction of Doctor Doom and the arrival of Galactus.
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Although the Avengers are experts at handling intergalactic and inter-dimensional threats, Marvel’s first family knows how to tango with some of the biggest baddies in the superhero genre. Since a Fantastic Four film essentially makes Doctor Doom mandatory, the studio already has one of the biggest threats in comics lined up for possibly multiple appearances.
While Victor Von Doom might be the arch nemesis of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing, Reed Richards and his super-powered entourage are far from the only heroes who have done battle with the doctor. Moreover, they are heroes Marvel still has an interest in showing off.
Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, and Thor are just a few of the major players from the last major event of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that could join in the fight against Doom. However, while the studio might still search for the perfect actor for him, Doom is only the appetizer for the bigger threat to come.
Heralding Galactus
With the Fantastic 4 in the mix, it’s only logical to assume that the MCU will follow in Fox’s footsteps and eventually introduce the Silver Surfer and then Galactus as its next Thanos-sized villain. An intergalactic being with an appetite for planets undoubtedly towers above a titan destroying half the universe.
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While that’s obviously several films away, it’s still in the realm of reality if Marvel Studios is indeed introducing more of their classic earth-bound heroes. Since fans have practically been begging for an adaptation of the Eater of Worlds since they were shortchanged in 2007 with Rise of the Silver Surfer, it feels like the natural response given the events currently facing the MCU.
Is Marvel ready for a threat this big? Tell Inside the Magic what you think in the comments below!