The presence of Kang is about to get real very soon. Despite only appearing in “Loki” as a mysterious entity bent on keeping the timelines at bay, his multiple versions will certainly play in the multiversal aspect within the next few years.
Of course, it still is a long way to go before we get Kang vs. the entire might of the Avengers. Regardless, we will most definitely see some of what he can do in next year’s “Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania”, where Jonathan Majors will play Dr. Who the Conquering Lord of Time. This time there will be a dangerous variant, more serious, and far less giddy than the one we saw in “Loki”.
Now, there might actually be some clues as to how Kevin Feige and his cap of destiny are preparing fans for the massive brawl. And we think it might lie in the arms of two new MCU additions: Kamala Khan and Xu Shang-Chi.
Now, in the new “Quantumania” trailer, there is a glimpse of an extradimensional city within the Quantum Realm. While the location isn’t explicitly stated, the shot of Kang in the next few frames could point to this being the Chronopolis. Indeed, it can be noted that there are similar aesthetics between the objects that the two heroes mentioned earlier currently possess and the mega-circular structures of the region.
So, to provide some context, let’s just run through some MCU history. In the case of Ms. Marvel, it is a bracelet. While browsing a box of family heirlooms, Kamala chances upon a bracelet and takes it to a superhero convention where she discovers that she has powers.
Along the way, she stumbles upon the Djinn, who are keen on using it to return home to their original dimension, Noor. Long story short, Kamala doesn’t quite oblige and they decide to hunt her and the bracelet. But we won’t go through all that. Cuz frankly, the whole plot is quite ridiculous if you think about it.
So, six episodes later, Kamala prevails and maintains possession of her bracelet. However, she mysteriously disappears in the credits stinger and Captain Marvel takes her place in her Avengers-fan-convention bedroom. That’s a separate story altogether but we think there might be a thread here. So, stay with us for a minute.
In the case of Shang-Chi, it also pertains to his possession of the bracelets known as the Ten Rings. After the pair return to San Francisco from Ta Lo’, the Sorcerer Supreme, Wong, beckons the new hero and his partner, Katy, to the Sanctum Sanctorum to talk business. Of course, being a master of the mystic arts and protector of Earth’s dimension, the presence of the Ten Rings captures Wong’s curiosity.
Even though Bruce Banner and Captain Marvel, both bonafide experts in their respective fields, ‘Zoom’ in to virtually provide their insights, the results are inconclusive. Carol states that it is not of any alien tech that she has seen. Bruce, on the other hand, notes that it isn’t a Vibranium sourced contraption, ruling out the Wakandans and the Talokan from the equation.
Nonetheless, one thing is for certain. The rings are pulsating like a beacon. It seems as though they are sentient and they are calling out to something… or maybe, someone. What if that someone is… Kang?
Now, here’s the thing. What if Kang’s Quantum Kingdom was actually the source of both the Ten Rings and Ms. Marvel’s bracelet? The Ten Rings and Ms. Marvel’s bracelet have both been wildly useful in combat but what if there was more to them as extradimensional tools?
Back to the point we were talking about earlier, Carol Danvers could also prove to be just as important as she is the only other person who would be having knowledge of both items. Such knowledge could prompt her to investigate the source of such and lead her to preemptively learn about the ties to the Chronopolis and Kang. In this way, she could lead Kamala to learn how to draw powers from the bracelet.
On a related side note, the hiring of Destin Daniel Cretton to helm the 5th installment in the “Avengers” franchise could also be another sign of things to come. As he helped bring Shang-Chi into this cinematic universe, we think that he and Kevin Feige had discussed the potential of such from the start.
Needless to say, Ms. Marvel and Shang-Chi’s ties to the objects empowering them could prove to be important in the Avengers’ fight against Kang. If Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel could fully harness and master the Quantum powers of the bracelet and rings, it could possibly give Earth’s Mightiest heroes the upper hand. If there was any way to weaken, incapacitate, or trap the looming threat, it could be right in their arms.
Or, who knows… there could be a brutal twist whereby Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel’s powerful accessories turn out to be their downfall as Kang unlocks their unknown powers and use them against the Avengers. Either way, these heroes will turn out to be important to the future of the MCU and we’re all here for it!
