A combination of Jonathan Majors' firing and the tepid response to Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has led to Marvel Studios changing its plans for Kang the Conqueror.
While the time-travelling villain and his many Variants are still expected to factor into the Multiverse Saga, it's thought he'll be replaced or at least joined by one or more threats to the Multiverse. The question is, who will that be when Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars roll around?
In this feature, we're taking a look at the most intriguing possibilities. From those who can stand alongside Kang to the baddies who might just usurp him as the Multiverse's greatest threat, we think you'll have fun seeing who we've singled out.
To do so, simply click on the "Next" or "View List" buttons below...
6. Mephisto
The Marvel Universe's devil, Mephisto is rumoured to make his MCU debut in Ironheart as part of an exploration of what happens when science meets magic.
Providing that serves as an effective introduction for the villain, there's no reason to think he can't be a Multiversal threat. He could serve as a duplicitous ally the same way he once served Thanos, only to betray him in a bid to bring Hell not just to Earth-616, but every Earth.
Mephisto is a character with endless potential and this is a perfect opportunity for Marvel Studios to tie him into several stories, including the Scarlet Witch's descent into madness.
5. Thanos
This is tricky because returning to Thanos so soon after he was defeated runs the risk of feeling stale and repetitive. After all, we've already seen a Variant of the Mad Titan target The Avengers after his Earth-616 counterpart was killed by Thor.
The solution is to introduce a much different Thanos with a fresh set of motivations and desires which extend beyond gathering the Infinity Stones.
An older "King Thanos" who has already conquered the Multiverse - a mission Kang failed because he's too busy fighting himself - is a compelling notion. Then again, so is Kang making Thanos his sidekick and unleashing The Avengers' greatest foe on them all over again.
4. Galactus
Rumour has it The Fantastic Four will be a key chapter in the Multiverse Saga and we have a sneaky suspicion Galactus will factor into that.
Now the MCU has an endless stream of realities, how better to keep them under control than by unleashing a Galactus who isn't just a Devourer of Worlds, but a Devourer of Realities? After feasting on the home of Marvel's First Family, he can target Earth-616.
If we're being honest, we'd have waited a little longer before introducing Galactus, but The Fantastic Four is as good a place as any to reboot him. This is also a far more refreshing notion than seeing Doctor Doom immediately become a Multiversal threat.
3. Ultron
It's a shame in many ways that the Infinity Ultron concept has been wasted on What If...? On the plus side, the villain's return there as a threat to the Multiverse established that it would be simple enough to upgrade Avengers: Age of Ultron's big bad.
With a few clever retcons, Marvel Studios can make it so that Ultron has been pulling strings from afar ever since his supposed death at the hands of The Vision in 2015.
If the android can tap into the newly birthed Multiverse, he can usurp Kang to make the future his own, creating the Age of Ultron timeline seen in the comics. In some respects, that story almost feels too small, but if nothing else, visiting that timeline would make for a compelling subplot.
2. Iron Man
We see the appeal of going straight to Doctor Doom, but if Marvel Studios really wants to surprise us, then a villainous Iron Man - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr. - feels like the way to go.
While it's been said on multiple occasions that Tony Stark's Avengers: Endgame sacrifice won't be undone, his Earth-838 Variant coming to seek revenge for what happened to the Illuminati makes perfect sense...then, there's the fact the new Ultimate Universe has established Tony as a Kang Variant!
This evil Iron Man using time-travel technology and taking Kang's place has the makings of a bonkers twist which gives Downey something new to sink his teeth into as he reprises his most famous role.
1. The X-Men
We know what you're thinking: the X-Men aren't villains. However, there's a way to make this work that allows Marvel Studios to move on from Kang and immediately jump to a Multiversal Avengers vs. X-Men movie.
If, like the Secret Wars comic, it comes down to Earth-616 and the home of the X-Men (on the page, it was the Ultimate Universe) in an Incursion, then Avengers 5 can pit these heroes against each other. From there, the survivors can assemble to take on an even greater threat in Avengers: Secret Wars.
That could be any of the villains listed here or even The Beyonder; whatever the case may be, it feels like a good way to move on from Kang and bring moviegoers back to the MCU for a project which takes full advantage of the Multiverse.