Colman Domingo Addresses Marvel’s Kang Casting Rumors: “Something Didn’t Feel Right About Replacing Someone”

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Feb 10

Colman Domingo Confirms Marvel Meeting:

Says Kang Replacement “Didn’t Feel Right”

Colman Domingo has officially addressed the widespread rumors that Marvel Studios considered him as a replacement for Jonathan Majors in the role of Kang the Conqueror. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Domingo confirmed that while he did meet with Marvel executives, the idea of stepping into an already established role didn’t sit well with him.

“When it was constantly in the press and on places like Twitter, I was like, ‘Wait a minute. Is this true? Am I being talked about for Kang?’” Domingo told host Josh Horowitz. “I literally called up my team and said, ‘Are you guys having conversations that I have no idea about?’ And they said no. ‘Are you guys being cagey or what?’ They weren’t.”

Domingo, an Oscar nominee for Rustin and a celebrated performer in Euphoria and The Color Purple, has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. While his name had been circulating online as a possible successor to Majors, the actor made it clear that these discussions were not initiated by him or his representatives.

However, his relationship with Marvel was already in motion. “There had been conversations of me coming into Marvel in some way, so we did follow up with a sit-down meeting with the heads of Marvel. I did do that,” Domingo continued. “We talked openly about the landscape of Marvel and the Kang rumors. I am all about energy. I want to do things that make sense and bring gentle energy. I want a role to be mine, whatever I develop. Something didn’t feel right to me about replacing someone. I want to build something from the ground up that is my own.”

Marvel’s Shift Away from Kang

Majors’ Kang was initially positioned as the MCU’s next major villain, following in the footsteps of Thanos, with a planned multi-film arc that was expected to culminate in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars(2027). However, following Majors’ conviction on assault charges in December 2023, Marvel Studios dropped the actor and began reworking its overarching storyline.

Instead of recasting Kang, Marvel pivoted to another major villain from the comics: Doctor Doom. In a surprising move, the studio brought back Robert Downey Jr., this time as Victor Von Doom, effectively shifting the trajectory of its upcoming Avengers films.

Domingo acknowledged that while the Kang rumors were “never a conversation from my point of view,” discussions about him joining the MCU in another capacity remain ongoing. “I want to build something from the ground up, so there still are talks,” he teased.

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What This Means for the MCU’s Future

Marvel’s decision to move away from Kang is significant for multiple reasons. First, it marks one of the most drastic pivots in franchise history. Given that Kang was already introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and multiple versions of the character were teased in Loki, the decision to shift focus to Doctor Doom suggests a major rewriting of long-term plans.

Second, Domingo’s comments highlight the growing hesitancy of high-profile actors to take on roles under scrutiny or linked to previous controversies. While Domingo’s integrity is commendable, it raises questions about how studios handle these transitions when an actor is removed due to legal or ethical concerns.

Despite declining the opportunity to replace Majors, Domingo remains a strong contender for a Marvel role in the future. With the MCU constantly expanding and introducing new characters, it’s only a matter of time before a project emerges that aligns with his desire to “build something from the ground up.”

For now, Marvel fans can only speculate about what Domingo’s future in the franchise might look like. But one thing is clear—he is not stepping into Kang’s shoes, and Marvel is moving full speed ahead with Doctor Doom as its next big bad.

Watch Domingo’s full interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in the video below.