For a long time, it seemed like Marvel Studios had completely slammed the door on Kang the Conqueror. Following Jonathan Majors’ high-profile firing in December 2023, the Marvel Cinematic Universe pivoted hard, shifting its Multiverse Saga spotlight to Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
However, a new update reveals that Marvel isn’t quite done with the time-traveling despot just yet though they are moving forward entirely without Majors.
The Animated Resurrection: Rama-Tut Returns
According to a report from The Direct, Marvel is officially bringing back a major Kang Variant this year through its animation division. The first trailer for X-Men ’97 Season 2 revealed a glimpse of Rama-Tut the Egyptian pharaoh guise of Kang—who is set to tangle with the season’s primary antagonist, Apocalypse.
This marks a significant creative shift. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania previously established via its Council of Kangs mid-credits scene that every single universe-hopping variant of Kang shared the physical likeness of Jonathan Majors. The version of Rama-Tut appearing in X-Men ’97 has been visibly redesigned from the live-action version to sever ties with Majors’ likeness entirely.
Who is Filling the Role?
With Majors out of the picture, the question shifts to who will inherit the mantle—and the answer might come from sci-fi royalty.
Before being let go from the show, X-Men ’97 creator Beau DeMayo originally intended to use Majors for the role. Following the actor’s legal troubles, the production pivoted. Reports indicate that John de Lancie—best known to sci-fi fans as the iconic, omnipotent trickster Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation—was tapped to voice the redesigned character.
While it remains unclear if de Lancie’s voice tracks will be the final ones used in the upcoming Disney+ season, his potential casting signals a distinct new direction for the character: leaning into theatrical, cosmic gravity rather than the specific physical presence Majors brought to the screen.
The Live-Action Reality
While animation provides a smoother avenue for recasting and redesigning, the live-action future of Kang remains on thin ice. Marvel has focused its live-action heavy hitters on Doctor Doom to lead the line into Avengers: Secret Wars.
However, Rama-Tut’s animated revival proves that Marvel is willing to retcon the “all variants look alike” rule. This soft-launch in animation could lay the groundwork for a different live-action actor to eventually wrap up the dangling Council of Kangs plotline down the road, ensuring the character’s comic legacy isn’t entirely erased by real-world controversies.
