Marvel Studios is reportedly considering John David Washington to take on the role of Kang the Conqueror after Jonathan Majors’ recent exit. According to Movie scooper Daniel Richtman that is. Majors, who portrayed the variant He Who Remains in the Disney+ series Loki and Antman and the Wasp: Quantamania was fired from the role following his guilty verdict in December 2023.
The speculation around Kang’s replacement initially centered on Fear the Walking Dead star Colman Domingo. However, the latest update from Richtman suggests that John David Washington is now in the running for the iconic supervillain role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
While John David Washington has not directly commented on the Kang role, he has previously expressed openness to joining a superhero tentpole. In a 2020 interview he stated, “I think it depends on who’s asking, what director wants to do it with me.”
The actor’s impressive track record and his willingness to explore diverse roles make him a compelling choice for Marvel’s consideration. Marvel can also just lean into their variant storyline and switch out the actors as such.
The uncertainties surrounding Kang the Conqueror’s future arose after Jonathan Majors’ conviction led to his departure from Marvel Studios. There have been discussions about recasting the character for the upcoming Avengers: The Kang Dynasty as well as replacing Kang with Dr. Doom as the new villain within the MCU. However whatever their decision is, it will be made by May 1, 2026 as that stands as the release of the next installment in their universe.
Majors’ loss of Kang The Conqueror was the first of many projects he was poised to star in or have released. Since his conviction his bodybuilder feature, Magazine Dreams, was taken off the schedule and returned to its producers. As well as he was fired from his role as Dennis Rodman in 48 Hours in Vegas.