X-Men Writer Claims Kevin Feige is “Straight Up Lying” on Claim Marvel’s Switch from Kang to Dr. Doom was the Plan Before Jonathan Majors Legal Drama

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With the upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, a new storm of debate has arisen concerning Marvel Studios’ decision to switch from Kang the Conqueror to Doctor Doom. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stated that the change from Kang to Doom was a creative call made well before actor Jonathan Majors encountered legal problems.

However, the original creator of the X-Men ’97 series, Beau DeMayo, has strongly contradicted this statement, asserting that Feige is deliberately misleading and accuses the studio of bias and rewriting history.

Feige’s Narrative: A Strategic Shift or Revisionist History?

During an interview with Variety in July 2025, Feige reaffirmed his reasoning behind switching the focus from Kang, played by Majors, to Doctor Doom, embodied by Robert Downey Jr.

Before the incident involving the actor, it was becoming clear to Feige that Kang wasn’t Thanos. The reason being, there was only one character who could fill that role due to his long-standing comic book history, and since the Fox acquisition, we now had access to that character – Dr. Doom.

He mentioned that talks with Downey started prior to “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” and Doom had been perceived as a greater danger all along.

This change aligns with previous statements in which Feige referred to it as part of broader adjustments within the MCU due to “superhero fatigue” and box office difficulties. The shift was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, renaming Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Armageddon.

Kevin Feige has highlighted the importance of Doom’s comics history, specifically his connections with the Fantastic Four, for shaping the final act of the Multiverse Saga in “Avengers: Secret Wars.

The Jonathan Majors Saga: Catalyst or Coincidence?

In my perspective, the captivating portrayal of Kang, skillfully played by Majors, made its grand entrance during Loki Season 1 and reached an epic climax in Quantumania, solidifying him as a villain on par with Thanos within the Marvel saga. However, unfortunate events unfolded off-screen when Majors was arrested in March 2023 on domestic charges involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. After being found guilty on misdemeanor counts in December 2023, Marvel Studios made the decision to part ways with him shortly thereafter.

Although Feige maintains that the timing was merely coincidental, sources and chronologies hint at something different. Major’s role was pivotal in the planning process, encompassing possible cross-overs, until his legal issues necessitated a thorough reassessment.

It’s important to note that this wasn’t part of the initial scheme at all. Instead, it turned out to be an unexpected adjustment following their decision to exclude Kang from the lineup. The original concept for Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Secret Wars didn’t originally include Doom.

— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) March 1, 2025

According to various fan theories and insider information like that from scooper Daniel Richtman, it appears that the initial plan for the “Secret Wars” did not have Doctor Doom playing a significant role. This shift in plot seems to be a late decision made after the arrival of Major characters.

Beau DeMayo’s Fiery Rebuttal: “He Is Straight Up Lying”

Just prior to the debut of X-Men ’97, DeMayo was let go, and in recent times, he’s spoken out critically about Marvel’s business methods.

In 2023, I was involved in the development of Season 2 of the show “#xmen97,” which features Kang as a character. It was undoubtedly Adewale Makinde, or Majors, who would have provided the voice for this role.

I recall attending a screening of John Wick 4 on March 2023’s schedule, accompanied by a high-ranking executive from Marvel, at the Americana cinema in Glendale. This outing took place over the same weekend when reports surfaced about Majors…

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) July 20, 2025

On July 20, 2025, DeMayo, responding to Feige’s comments in Variety, shared on X: “In 2023, while working on Season 2 of #xmen97 featuring Kang, Majors was indeed the actor we had in mind for that character.

Additionally, he shared his experience of watching “John Wick 4” alongside a Marvel executive during the week when Majors’ arrest news surfaced. He pointed out the studio’s “utter chaos” and concerns about the impact on Kang’s role in future projects.

DeMayo explained that following Majors’ predicament, Marvel suggested to him that Majors might not be an option anymore until a decision was made, which led DeMayo to hire John de Lancie (famous as Q from Star Trek) for the role of Kang in X-Men ’97 Season 2. This casting choice was reminiscent of Q’s playful character type. Moreover, DeMayo contended that Kang’s comic book connection to the Fantastic Four through his ancestor Franklin Richards made him a more fitting “final boss” antagonist compared to Doom.

Escalating his critique, DeMayo once again accused Marvel of racial prejudice.

He may have been sabotaging and betraying the young, popular black actor behind his back for the sake of his white friend, or, just like in my case, they might be deliberately deceiving fans to shield themselves from any blame.

Additionally, he brought attention to the exit of Nate Moore, Marvel’s sole Black executive producer, as well as the supposed “diversity layoffs” that were kept quiet.

Wow. This is hilariously bad. @Polygon publishing complete lies.

Jake Castorena didn’t receive a call from Dana. It wasn’t until after I recruited Jack and proposed a series that Dana joined the project. By then, we had already started working on Episode 2 in animation.

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) July 2, 2025

DeMayo’s complaints go beyond this specific event. In a video published earlier in 2025, he spoke about his departure from Marvel, accusing them of misconduct, such as racial abuse on the Blade set, attempts to undermine his contributions to X-Men ’97, and more. He has also criticized media outlets like Variety and Polygon for repeating Marvel’s storyline, referring to them as “hired PR firms.

Implications for Marvel’s Future

As a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I’ve noticed some underlying frictions that have come to light recently. These tensions seem to stretch beyond just the latest disputes, encompassing claims of bias, creative missteps, and a noticeable dip in quality – a trend that’s become quite apparent in projects like the delays with Blade.

As I eagerly anticipate the release of “Avengers: Doomsday,” I can’t help but worry that the off-screen drama might steal the limelight from the on-screen spectacle. Marvel has yet to address DeMayo’s recent allegations, but with “X-Men ’97 Season 2” in production and Phase Six updates looming, any fallout could potentially affect fan trust and the studio’s reputation for accountability.

Regardless of whether it reveals deep-seated problems or proves to be a case of internal conflict, it underscores the immense pressures surrounding superhero narratives in the year 2025.

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2025-07-21 16:58