Marvel Studios recasts Kang with John de Lancie in X-Men 97

Marvel Studios has officially recast the role of Kang the Conqueror, with actor John de Lancie voicing a variant of the character in the newly released second season of the animated series "X-Men '97." The first three episodes of the season premiered on Disney+ on July 1, 2026, featuring the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Rama-Tut, a classic incarnation of Kang from Marvel Comics.

This move marks the character's first physical appearance in a Marvel project since Jonathan Majors' final performance as Kang in "Loki" Season 2 in late 2023. Majors was dismissed from the Marvel Cinematic Universe following domestic assault allegations, which led to a major shift in the studio's long-term plans. The previously announced film "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" was scrapped, with the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," scheduled for December 2026, now positioned as the penultimate chapter of the Multiverse Saga, featuring Doctor Doom as the primary villain.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige stated in 2025 that the creative pivot away from Kang began before Majors' legal issues, citing a realization that the character was not perceived as a threat on the same level as Thanos and that Doctor Doom was...