As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gears up for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, a fresh wave of controversy has erupted over the decision to abandon Kang the Conqueror in favor of Doctor Doom. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently claimed that the shift from Kang to Doom was a creative choice made long before actor Jonathan Majors’ legal issues.
Robert Downey Jr. revealed to be Doctor Doom at Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con via OnTheRedCarpet YouTube
But former X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo has vehemently disputed this, claiming Feige is “straight up lying” and accusing the studio of prejudice and historical revisionism.
Feige’s Narrative: A Strategic Shift or Revisionist History?
In a July 2025 interview with Variety, Feige doubled down on his explanation for pivoting from Kang, played by Majors, to Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.
“Even before what had happened to the actor, we had started to realize that Kang wasn’t Thanos,” Feige said. “There was only one character that could be that because he was that in the comics for decades and decades, and because of the Fox acquisition, we finally had it, and that’s Dr. Doom.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Louis D’Esposito, Co-President, Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr., Joe Russo and Anthony Russo attend the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
He added that discussions with Downey began before Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and that Doom was always eyed as the bigger threat.
This aligns with prior statements where Feige described the change as part of broader MCU recalibrations amid “superhero fatigue” and box office challenges. The pivot was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, retitling Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Doomsday.
Doctor Doom in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #10 (1984), Marvel Comics
Feige has emphasized Doom’s comic legacy, particularly ties to the Fantastic Four, as key to the Multiverse Saga’s climax in Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Jonathan Majors Saga: Catalyst or Coincidence?
Majors’ portrayal of Kang debuted in Loki Season 1 and culminated in Quantumania, positioning him as the saga’s Thanos-level villain. However, Majors was arrested in March 2023 on domestic charges involving ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Convicted on misdemeanor counts in December 2023, he was dropped by Marvel shortly after.
Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 MARVEL.
While Feige insists the timing was coincidental, insiders and timelines suggest otherwise. Majors was central to plans, including potential crossovers, until his legal troubles forced a reevaluation.
I should remind you this was not the plan AT ALL. This was literally a last minute change after they decided to drop Kang. Their original plan for the MCU Secret Wars didn’t even have Doom https://t.co/EjuOW21lNd
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) March 1, 2025
Fan theories and leaks, such as those from scooper Daniel Richtman, indicate the original Secret Wars blueprint didn’t feature Doom prominently, with the switch being a “last-minute change” post-Majors.
Beau DeMayo’s Fiery Rebuttal: “He Is Straight Up Lying”
DeMayo, fired from X-Men ’97 shortly before the series premiered, has been vocal about Marvel’s practices in recent months.
In 2023, I was working on Season 2 of #xmen97 who has Kang in it. Majors was definitely who would’ve voiced the character.
I remember seeing John Wick 4 in March 2023 with a top exec at Marvel at the Americana movie theater in Glendale the weekend the news broke about Majors… https://t.co/QtFsCX2YKH
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) July 20, 2025
Responding directly to Feige’s Variety quotes on July 20, 2025, DeMayo posted on X: “In 2023, I was working on Season 2 of #xmen97 who has Kang in it [sic]. Majors was definitely who would’ve voiced the character.”
He also recounted watching John Wick 4 with a Marvel exec the weekend Majors’ arrest news broke, noting the studio’s “COMPLETE panic” and fears over Kang’s future.
Beau DeMayo via Cool YouTube Guy YouTube
DeMayo elaborated that after Majors’ issues, Marvel informed him Majors was “likely off the table” pending verdict, leading DeMayo to cast John de Lancie (known as Q from Star Trek) as Kang for X-Men ’97 Season 2, drawing parallels to Q’s mischievous archetype. He also argued Kang’s comic ties to the Fantastic Four—via ancestor Franklin Richards—made him a logical “endgame” villain, more so than Doom.
Escalating his critique, DeMayo once again accused Marvel of racial prejudice.
A post on X by Beau DeMayo about Kang in the Marvel Universe – X: @BeauDeMayo
“Either he was secretly backstabbing and undermining young critically acclaimed black actor for his white buddy…or, as they did with me, are blatantly lying to fans to protect their a***s.”
He also highlighted the departure of Nate Moore, Marvel’s only Black head producer, and alleged “DEI lay-offs” that were “hushed up.”
Wow. This is hilariously bad. @Polygon publishing complete lies.
Jake Castorena never got a call from Dana. Dana didn’t board the project until after I hired Jack and had pitched them a series. We were well within animation for Episode 2 when Dana was hired on the show.… pic.twitter.com/TG2gmW55Cy
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) July 2, 2025
DeMayo’s grievances extend beyond this incident. In a 30-minute video released earlier in 2025, he detailed his Marvel exit, alleging misconduct, including racial abuse on the Blade set, and efforts to minimize his X-Men ’97 contributions. He has criticized media outlets like Variety and Polygon for parroting Marvel’s narrative, calling them “contracted PR firms.”
Implications for Marvel’s Future
This dispute shows deeper tensions within the MCU, including allegations of prejudice, creative mismanagement, and declining quality—evident in projects like Blade’s delays.
As Avengers: Doomsday approaches, the saga’s behind-the-scenes drama risks overshadowing the on-screen spectacle. Marvel has not publicly responded to DeMayo’s latest accusations, but with X-Men ’97 Season 2 in production and broader Phase Six updates coming soon, the fallout could influence fan trust and studio accountability.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 11: Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios speaks onstage during the Walt Disney Studios presentation at Cinemacon in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 11, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Whether this exposes systemic issues or fizzles as insider beef, it highlights the high stakes of superhero storytelling in 2025.
Do you believe Kevin Feige about Kang and Doom? Sound of in the comments and let us know!
I usually automatically disbelieve anything this Queen with a nose ring has to say.
However, in this case, I believe they replaced Kang with Doom because Majors was in trouble and they didn’t want to take the risk one of their main assets would bring dishonor to their name OR might be in prison when they needed them. Hollywood is notorious for ditching people who they thing smear the product. They just usually have bad taste when it comes to who, or what, is considered “smearing.”
If Majors were a Trump supporter he would have never been given the role to begin with to “protect the brand.”
No one wants to watch Jonathan Majors. DEI and BLM are not the way to go, if you want viewers.
I vaguely remember him in that woke Alien movie, which flopped hard. And he sucked. He had no presence, no charisma. He seemed to be there due to HR box-ticking.
Notice Captain African-American failed to do business. Even Disney is getting the message.
I reckon every single Disney Marvel movie will lose several hundreds of millions. The “stars” look about 70. Their charisma has gone. They preach uncool SJW politics. There are no sexy young thing stars to replace them. Only DEI, annoying androgynous girl-bosses, or simps.