Luke James Declines Kang the Conqueror Role, but Eyes Another Villainous Opportunity!

Kang the Conqueror first appeared in MCU’s ‘Loki’ Season 1, portrayed by Jonathan Majors as He Who Remains. Since then, the character has appeared in various forms, with the latest being Victor Timely in Loki Season 2.

However, Majors’ career faced a setback when he was arrested and later found guilty of third-degree assault. As a result, he was fired from Disney, leaving the role of Kang the Conqueror open for other actors.

We’ve previously mentioned candidates such as Colman Domingo and John David Washington for the role, but it seems another actor was offered the part of Kang and turned it down. In a recent interview with The Direct, Luke James revealed that he declined the role of Kang but expressed keen interest in portraying another character within the MCU.

“Marvel as a whole? Yes. Kang the Conqueror? No. But I wouldn’t not not take the meeting. There are so many brilliant characters, because I mean, it’s so many characters. There are so many characters I would love a take at.”

Luke James is best known for his roles in ‘Star,’ ‘Black Nativity,’ ‘The Chi,’ and his recent portrayal of Edmund Gaines in ‘Them.’ Despite declining a role in one of the most successful and beloved film franchises in history, there’s still optimism that he may be offered the chance to play a different villain:

“I know it’s going to throw people: Thrasher. As a kid, I loved Thrasher, especially when I was introduced to him via Spider-Man. I just thought that was really cool. I skateboard. I thought it was really sick. They’re working on ‘Blade,’ Blade is awesome. But I can’t unsee Wesley [Snipes], but I also love Mahershala Ali, so I just know that’s just going to be a brilliant take on that.”

James isn’t restricted to the MCU either; he expressed interest in portraying Captain Atom in the DCU.

“[Captain] Adam would be really cool in the DCU. I think Adam is such a unique character. They always kind of hint to him, show him in the cartoons and animation versions of all the movies that they’ve come up with DCU. But Adam is really powerful. I think that would be really [cool]… Right now, I see him hooked up to this reactor… They’re draining him; they’re using his power to create these radioactive beings that they’re using. I forget what animation that was…”

What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments!