Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk played pivotal roles in inaugurating the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2008. Robert Downey Jr.’s charismatic portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man not only impressed but also introduced the concept of interconnected superhero storytelling. This was notably foreshadowed in the post-credits scene, hinting at The Avengers. After the films’ success, Marvel wanted a great villain who could challenge the mightiest superheroes.
The Incredible Hulk, on the other hand, featured Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, delving into his internal struggle with the Hulk persona. Despite Norton’s subsequent replacement by Mark Ruffalo, these films laid the foundation for an expansive cinematic universe where superheroes would eventually unite, leading to the monumental success of the MCU.
Marvel Wanted a Villain As Good As Magneto
Prior to selecting Tom Hiddleston for the role, Marvel had a clear vision that Loki would be the antagonist in The Avengers. According to Zack Stentz, the screenwriter for Thor, he recalled the Marvel team expressing their desire for a villain as compelling as Magneto when it came to crafting the character of Loki.
Zack Stentz said (via MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios):
“They literally said, ‘If you fail at everything else, please just give us a villain as good as Magneto in Loki.'”
Despite his initial villainous nature, Loki’s character has undergone a significant transformation. He shifted towards an antihero role in Thor: The Dark World and ultimately became a genuine hero by the conclusion of Thor: Ragnarok. Loki even experienced a heroic demise in Avengers: Infinity War.
Fans yearning for Loki’s mischievous persona found solace in the Loki series featuring Tom Hiddleston’s return. The series explores the character before his transformation into a hero. This gave fans a glimpse into the Loki we knew before the standout moments in Thor that shaped his character’s trajectory.
Jonathan Majors’ Kang Became Marvel Villain After Loki’s Success
Marvel Studios, renowned for its attentiveness to its fanbase, couldn’t overlook the immense excitement generated by Jonathan Majors following his outstanding cameo appearance in Loki. As a result, the studio’s selection of Majors as the upcoming central antagonist for the Multiverse storyline was strongly influenced by the enthusiastic reception of his portrayal of various Kang the Conqueror variants.
In MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, authors Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards delved into the studio’s decision to increasingly incorporate the multiverse as a narrative device. They recollected that this concept was first introduced to the MCU through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as reported by Bounding Into Comics.
“Opened up new possibilities for storytelling, however, and new avenues for fan service.”
Subsequently, the authors disclosed that, according to a source within Marvel, Kang was not originally slated to serve as the primary antagonist in the Multiverse Saga. However, recognizing Jonathan Majors’ remarkable performance at the age of 34, the decision was made to elevate his character to a formidable threat akin to Thanos.
