Colman Domingo won’t be replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror. The announcement comes amid widespread speculation about the future of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The ‘Euphoria’ star had been the subject of rumors he was set to step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after the 35-year-old actor was dropped by the studio following his convictions for assaulting then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, and though Colman confirmed he met with producers to explore the possibility, he’d ultimately prefer to build his own role. The role has been a topic of intense discussion among fans since Majors’ departure.
“I think there had been conversations of me coming to Marvel in some way,” Colman said speaking to Josh Horowitz on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast. The podcast, which regularly features insights from entertainment industry figures, has become a reliable source for Marvel casting news.
“So we did follow up with a sit-down meeting with the heads of Marvel. So we did do that, and we talked openly about the landscape of Marvel or even the Kang rumors. But I feel like I want a role to be mine, whatever that role is, whatever I develop. Something didn’t feel right of me, like, ‘Oh, would I replace someone?’ No, I want to build something from the ground up that’s my own.” Domingo‘s career has been marked by critically acclaimed performances in various challenging roles.
The 55-year-old star admitted he wasn’t sure if there had ever been a discussion about him taking over the role of Kang, but he’d be happy to work with the studio. His potential involvement with Marvel has been a hot topic since early 2024.
“I feel like that was never a conversation from my point of view, if I was discussed [to take over Kang],” he said. “I still don’t know if I was discussed, but I just know that I would want to build something up from the ground up. So, there’s still talks.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a history of carefully selecting actors for its iconic roles.
Jonathan – who was sentenced to probation after being convicted of two misdemeanor counts of reckless assault and harassment – played Kang in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantimania’ and was set to reprise the role for the now-scrapped ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’. The film had been planned as a crucial part of Marvel’s Phase 5 lineup.
But following the scandal, Marvel distanced themselves from him and announced ‘Iron Man’ legend Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the franchise to play Dr. Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. This unexpected casting decision sent waves through the entertainment industry.
And the ‘Creed III’ actor recently admitted he was “heartbroken” by the decision. His performance as Kang had received positive reviews from critics and fans alike.
When TMZ asked if he felt hurt by the studio choosing to move away from his character in favor of Dr. Doom, he said: “Yeah, heartbroken. Of course. Come on, yeah, of course. I love him. I love Kang. Doctor Doom is wicked, though.” The character of Doctor Doom has been a fan-favorite villain in Marvel comics for decades.
Despite the heartbreak, the actor emphasized he would be open to reprising his role as Kang if given the chance. “I love him. I love Kang. If that’s what the fans want, if that’s what Marvel wants, then let’s roll. Hell yeah,” he said. The future of the character remains uncertain as Marvel continues to reshape its upcoming slate of films.
This development marks another significant shift in Marvel’s Phase 5 and 6 plans, which have undergone several changes in recent months. The studio continues to adapt its strategy in response to various industry challenges and changing audience preferences.
