A lot of people were dissatisfied with Quantumania’s handling of Kang, especially considering that the ideal setup was established in Avengers: Endgame.
The following includes spoilers from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, currently in theaters.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaintroduced new Marvel Cinematic Universe threat Kang the Conqueror, who’s set to be the overarching villain over the next several years. Unfortunately, certain viewers found issues with Kang’s performance despite how great Jonathan Majors’ performance was. This was the worst part. Kang’s flawless transition to Kang was already there as part of the biggest Marvel Studios storyline.
Avengers Endgame was an idea of time travel that was directly related to Kang’s style of operation. It is possible that this could be used to establish Kang up and provide a greater sense of threat, all the while adding many layers to the villain. This missed opportunity makes Kang’s story appear forced and could back and bite MCU.
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Avengers: Endgame Created the Perfect Environment to Introduce Kang
In Endgame, the Avengers returned to the past to obtain the Infinity Stones to reverse the massacre that Thanos had caused throughout the universe. The specific consequences of this were not revealed but things such as Loki’s escape from the Avenger’s chains led to an alternate timeline. The multiverse refers to a parallel reality and alternate timelines. It’s also related to Kang. This plot device could be a more effective way to establish Kang’s threat. It allows you to create him from multiple angles.
It is possible to reveal (like through an alternate version of Quantumania) that Kang was manipulating the happenings of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, with his numerous resets giving him the ability to take on the Avengers via Thanos’ actions. Kang’s plans are undone as the Avengers overcome Thanos. Kang’s actions and past could be changed and changed. Kang could have a more compelling argument to oppose them than he does now, the Quantum Realm.
A situation like this would have not only made Kang become more of an organic threat but also would have added more depth to his hatred of the good guys, particularly Scott Lang. Ant-Man was the one who joined the Avengers to carry out their time-heist strategy. This made him the key to undoing everything Kang did. The once-in-a-lifetime conflict between an Avenger and a conqueror would quickly become something much more personal.
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Quantumania is unable to Cement Kang, the Next Big Bad
Kang’s first appearance is a catastrophe. The villain is viler for it. Kang comes across in many ways as a typical villain of the week Ant-Man has to take down with the same power or presence that his father Thanos. He’s also beaten by what is the smallest Avenger as well as an army of ants- a defeat which nearly is reminiscent of the hilarious “Thanus theory.” It’s also not making much sense that the Kang Council is ready to fight to bring revenge on their fallen friend when he had been exiled from the city for his conduct. If they were a variant of Kang whose plans had been similarly upended by the Avengers through their actions in the time stream this response would be a lot more plausible.
At the end of the day, the entire time travel motif of Kang is overlooked, even if it would be a natural progression from the MCU’s biggest moments. Sadly, this doesn’t do Kang any favors when it comes to being seen as a major threat, which bodes poorly for his future in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The film could finally make him the major villain he’s been portrayed as. However, it may not be enough to make him a more powerful villain following his first film.
Ant-Man as well as the Wasp: Quantumania is in theaters now.