Kang the Conqueror has been positioned as the primary antagonist for the Multiverse Saga and the upcoming “Avengers: Kang Dynasty” and “Secret Wars.” However, recent developments in “Loki” season 2 have shed light on why Ravonna Renslayer would make a superior choice as the leading villain. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this argument.
There has been extensive debate online regarding the potential recasting of the Kang the Conqueror role after Jonathan Majors’ arrest in March. This article does not touch on the casting controversy but rather suggests that Kang was never the ideal choice to be the main villain of the Multiverse Saga. Instead, Ravonna Renslayer would be a far more compelling and suitable character.
Jonathan Majors has displayed his strength as an actor in portraying sensitive masculine characters. From his breakout role in A24’s “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” to his leading performance as Atticus Freeman in “Lovecraft Country,” Majors has demonstrated his ability to embody a strong external presence layered with complex emotions.
The problem lies in the fact that his portrayal of Kang the Conqueror seems to replicate the archetype established by Thanos. The role lacks true novelty, as evidenced by his interpretation of Victor Timely in “Loki” season 2. It appears that Majors struggles to deviate from this familiar archetype, thereby hindering the opportunity to offer fans a genuinely fresh challenge for the Avengers.
In contrast, Gugu Mbatha-Raw has exhibited more range in her filmography than Jonathan Majors. Her roles span from intensely dramatic performances in “Surface” and “The Morning Show” to lighter fare like “Beauty and The Beast” and “Misbehaviour.” Even in “Loki” season 2, episode 4 alone, Ravonna Renslayer demonstrates enough power and presence to convincingly assume a leading role.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s range grants Marvel Studios an opportunity to address the topic of the Multiverse Saga with a sense of purpose. Kang the Conqueror, on the other hand, lacks a distinct purpose in the MCU. His most charitable viewpoint revolves around the necessity of culling life to restore order, which unfortunately retreads the ground already covered by Thanos in the previous Avengers films.
Unlike Kang, Ravonna Renslayer is a woman embittered by the existence of the Multiverse. In a system where endless possibilities should be afforded to her, she finds herself cursed by Kang, manipulated by Miss Minutes, and trapped in a cycle of events she cannot escape. This personal narrative provides Ravonna with a genuine motive to challenge the Multiverse. She may even utilize an army of Kang variants to dismantle the systems she perceives as restrictive. However, inevitably, her pursuit of freedom could lead to the same mistakes as Kang. As she stated in “Loki” season 1, “Only one person gets free will. The one in charge.”
While this article refrains from discussing potential spoilers for upcoming Avengers projects, it’s worth noting that leaks about the plot of “Kang Dynasty” have emerged online. Some fans who have come across these leaks express concerns about certain parallels to previous MCU movies. All these concerns would be addressed if Kang the Conqueror were replaced by Ravonna Renslayer.
This suggestion also finds support in Marvel Comics. Ravonna Renslayer has, in fact, assumed the identity of Kang the Conqueror in the comics to execute her own schemes against the Avengers and Fantastic Four. This storyline has been referenced previously in the MCU in “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania,” establishing a foundation for such character exploration.
Speaking of “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania,” it undeniably plays a crucial role in this conversation. Despite the accolades Jonathan Majors received for his role in “Loki,” Kang’s character has been somewhat tainted by his portrayal as the lead villain. On the other hand, introducing Ravonna as the replacement would enable Marvel to start fresh as they approach the culmination of the Multiverse Saga.
Realistically, it is highly improbable that Marvel will replace Kang as the primary villain in the upcoming Avengers films. They will likely either recast Jonathan Majors or maintain the status quo. However, Marvel possesses a unique opportunity to take the MCU in an unprecedented direction. Fans can only hope that they recognize the immense potential of Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Ravonna Renslayer.
