Has the MCU found its new Thanos? Deadline confirms that rising actor Jonathan Majors has been cast as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man 3.
But who is Majors, and who is Kang? Scroll down to find out more.
Where have we seen Jonathan Majors before?
He can currently be seen in the role of Atticus in HBO's acclaimed fantasy-horror series Lovecraft Country. Adapted from Matt Ruff's novel, the series criss-crosses the cosmic terror of famed writer H.P. Lovecraft with the far more plausible fear of American racial segregation. Majors is the charismatic engine of the show, playing a young Korean War veteran whose search for his father in Massachusetts (the 'Lovecraft Country' of the title) sparks a memorably surreal and uncomfortably topical odyssey.
Elsewhere, Majors delivered an eye-catching role in Spike Lee's most recent feature film Da 5 Bloods. The story focuses on a group of ageing Vietnam War veterans, and their attempts to reclaim the hidden gold they lost in the 1970s. Majors plays the hot-headed son of Delroy Lindo's psychologically troubled character, and adds cross-generational intrigue to the powerful drama.
Prior to that, Majors delivered a breakout performance in hit indie movie The Last Black Man in San Francisco. This emotionally gripping story of Bay Area gentrification and the inevitable pull of family roots generated critical acclaim, described as "deeply moving" by Empire.
In a short space of time, Majors has established quite the CV, which makes him an intriguing choice to portray an MCU villain. But will he hit the memorable heights of Tom Hiddleston's Loki, or the forgettable lows of Christopher Eccleston in Thor: The Dark World? Before we get there, we have to introduce the character he's playing...
Who is Kang the Conqueror?
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, super-villain Kang the Conqueror has been treated to various iterations since his Marvel Comics debut in 1963. He was introduced as a nemesis of the Fantastic Four, going by the name Rama-Tut; he embraced the Kang moniker later in 1964, where he fought the Avengers. Otherwise known as Nathaniel Richards, this time-travelling genius combines various abilities including energy projection, holograms and advanced strength.
Frankly, we can't wait to see Majors do justice to the character.
What else do we know about Ant-Man 3?
Given that the movie occupies a slot in the far-off MCU Phase Five, we don't know a huge amount. Director Peyton Reed will be back to steer star Paul Rudd through another round of shrinking adventures, and Evangeline Lilly will also be back as Hope van Dyne aka The Wasp. We're awaiting confirmation of Michael Douglas' return as Hank Pym, scientist and mentor to Rudd's Scott Lang.
Excitingly, does Kang's involvement anticipate the Fantastic Four's arrival in the MCU? After three stalled movie attempts under 20th Century Fox, new owners Disney now have the clout to bring the original superhero family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has already alluded to this, so watch this space...
When is Ant-Man 3 released?
Rumour has it the movie will be released in 2022. But we'll have to wait to be sure. Let us know @Cineworld if you think Jonathan Majors will tear up the role of Kang.
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