How will the MCU move forward without Jonathan Majors?

Not to mention, Majors' performance as Kang and his variants have made him synonymous with the character. Using a controversial character again in the future could only invite problems.

Another possibility is a pivot in the storyline, potentially moving away from Kang the Conqueror as the central villain. Reports have suggested that Marvel Studios might consider shifting focus to another major antagonist, such as Doctor Doom, a classic Marvel villain with deep ties to the Fantastic Four. This would require significant rewrites and changes to the planned narrative but could open new creative avenues for the MCU.

The recent delay in the MCU's release schedule could provide Marvel Studios with the necessary time to reevaluate and rework their plans. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, for a 2026 release, could undergo yet another rewrite to accommodate a new actor as Kang or pivot to a different storyline altogether. Michael Waldron, the creator of Loki, was recently signed to work on a new draft of the film, suggesting that changes are already in motion.

Coincidentally, the second season of Loki ended with what's effectively the MCU's way out of the whole Kang debacle, so bringing Waldron on board might have been part of the MCU's plans all along.

Nevertheless, Marvel Studios' decision to continue with its incumbent plans suggests that it intends to move forward as intended despite the unprecedented challenge it's currently facing. Never before has a character been so integral to the overarching narrative be faced with such a sudden and impactful change. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. While the path forward may be uncertain, the studio's track record of adaptability and creative storytelling suggests that they are capable of navigating these uncharted waters.

As the MCU continues to evolve, the handling of this situation will be a defining moment in its ongoing saga.

For now, MCU fans can look forward to ending the year with a bang with the next season of What If...? premiering next week. Finally, kick off 2024 the best way possible with all episodes of Marvel's Echo, the first MCU show to launch under the Marvel Spotlight banner, dropping earlier than expected on January 9, 2024.