A new image from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania shows off Jonathan Majors as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's next arch-villain, Kang the Conqueror.
The picture was included in the latest issue of Empire and shows Kang standing off against Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd). Director Peyton Reed promises that Kang's arrival will have significant repercussions that will be explored in further MCU movies, including the fifth Avengers movie, The Kang Dynasty. "I think it has a profound impact on the MCU," he said. "Jeff Loveness, who wrote this movie, is writing The Kang Dynasty as well, so there's been a lot of discussion about the impact that this appearance of Kang The Conqueror makes. There are big things in store."
Majors previously appeared in the MCU as He Who Remains, a multiversal variant of Kang revealed to be the head of the TVA in Loki. Reed explained how Quantumania's version of the character sets himself apart, saying, "Kang The Conqueror in our movie is a very different character. He's someone who has dominion over time, and he’s a warrior and a strategist." Reed continued that he was excited to pit such a formidable foe against an unlikely hero like Scott Lang. "That's interesting to me," he said. "To take the tiniest, and in some people's minds weakest, Avenger, and put them up against this absolute force of nature."
Jonathan Majors Is a Powerful Performer
Executive producer Brian Gay praised Majors' commitment and skill as Kang the Conqueror. "I think part of the fun is that we got someone who is so talented that he can play as they say in Loki, the low keys and the high keys, and go across the whole range with him," he explained. "I'm so excited for everyone to see the incredible work he's done. I think that he's an incredible presence on the MCU. And when he steps on screen, you know that Kang is there. He gives that embodiment and that gravitas that's so focal to that character."
Kang won't be the only threat Marvel's smallest heroes will face in Quantumania. The teaser trailer gave fans their first look at Bill Murray's character in the film, believed to be Krylar, an extremely obscure villain who was a denizen of the Microverse that antagonized the Hulk. Additionally, the film is also set to introduce the MCU debut of M.O.D.O.K. While it's unknown who's playing him, rumors have suggested names like Jim Carrey and Corey Stoll, who previously played the villainous Darren Cross/Yellowjacket in the first Ant-Man movie.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set to release in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.
Source: Empire