Marvel Studios has cast Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror for Ant-Man 3 which stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly.
Majors will play one of the lead roles in the flick along with Rudd and Lilly.
Deadline offers “with so many new characters in the MCU, there could be a twist with how the character is featured in future films, but as of now he is likely to be one of the main villains in the next installment in the franchise.”
In the comics, Kang the Conqueror is a time-traveling villain, though Deadline also says it’s possible Kang could be used differently in the movie.
Peyton Reed, the director of the first two Ant-Man movies, is returning to direct, with Jeff Loveness (Rick and Morty, Jimmy Kimmel) penning the script, and Kevin Feige will produce. The film hasn’t been given a release date as of yet.
Jonathan Majors is known for HBO’s hit series Lovecraft Country, Captive State, and When We Rise.
Kang the Conqueror is a time-traveling villain
Marvel describes Kang as a “menace throughout time, on a journey to become the ruler of the Universe,” and the character has also gone by the names Rama-Tut, Immortus, and the Scarlet Centurion.
What’s particularly interesting about Kang joining Ant-Man 3 is that he made his first appearance in the Fantastic Four comics, and the FF also happened to be rumored for Ant-Man 3.
Kang also has a history with the mutant Apocalypse so there is an X-Men connection as well, and Kang is also associated with the Young Avengers, some of who are a part or either look to be coming to the MCU including Cassandra Lang, Kate Bishop, Wiccan, Speed, America Chavez, and the Young Avenger Iron Lad happens to be Kang the Conqueror.
The quick history about Kang, whose name is Nathaniel Richards and is related to both Reed Richards and Franklin Richards of the Fantastic Four, is that he is a scholar from the 31st century who went back in time and conquered ancient Egypt and attempted to force the first mutant En Sabah Nur (Apocalypse) to become his heir but was thwarted by the Fantastic Four. Kang also traveled to the 20th century where he defeated The Avengers.
A rumor also offered Kang was going to be a part of Avengers: Endgame.
