Michael Waldron’s original script for Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars was an ambitious and expansive narrative that promised to reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in profound ways. The project was initially announced with great fanfare, but it was ultimately scrapped following the termination of Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang the Conqueror. This decision led to a significant overhaul of the storyline, leaving fans curious about what might have been.
In Waldron’s version, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was set to conclude with a dramatic twist involving the creation of Battleworld by Beyonder and Kang. This new realm, known as Chronopolis, was a fusion of multiple timelines and realities, with Kang ruling as its supreme leader. The surviving heroes, including various incarnations of Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Deadpool, Wolverine, and the Fantastic Four, were imprisoned by Beyonder and Kang. Kang revealed that each hero had a “prime variant,” with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man identified as the Prime Spider-Man destined to defeat Kang. This setup a high-stakes confrontation between the heroes and their ultimate adversaries.
The script also featured the return of several beloved actors from previous Marvel franchises. Robert Downey Jr. was set to reprise his role as Superior Iron Man from Earth-818, who had his own agenda to steal Beyonder’s powers. Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson were to return as variants of Captain America and Black Widow, respectively. Additionally, the film was to include Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Patrick Stewart, Nicolas Cage, Ian McKellen, and Miles Teller, along with the potential inclusion of Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen from the Spider-Verse.
The climax of Waldron’s story was nothing short of epic. Superior Iron Man, having absorbed Beyonder’s powers, betrayed the heroes and set the stage for a final battle with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, the Chosen One. Despite their victory, the Multiverse continued to collapse, leading He Who Remains and the TVA to merge all dying universes into one cohesive reality. This merger included the MCU, the X-Men universe, and the Fantastic Four universes, resulting in a soft reboot that established a new continuity where mutants and the Fantastic Four were integral parts of the Marvel landscape.
The cancellation of Waldron’s script led to a significant shift in Marvel’s plans. At the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios announced that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty had been rebranded as Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of Doctor Doom. The Russo Brothers were confirmed to return as directors, and Stephen McFeely was tapped to write the new screenplay. This pivot marked a new direction for the MCU, one that would continue to captivate audiences with fresh narratives and unexpected twists.
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Source : Maxblizz