The 'Shang-Chi' director has decided to step down as director of 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' to focus on his other projects as he remains in the Marvel fold.
- Nov 16, 2023
AceShowbiz - "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" is losing its director amid uncertainty regarding Jonathan Majors' future. Destin Daniel Cretton has decided to exit the movie to focus on his other future projects, according to multiple reports.
The decision is seemingly amicable as "The Glass Castle" director remains in the Marvel Studios family. The filmmaker, who previously helmed "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", is still on board as director and executive producer of Marvel TV series "Wonder Man". He co-created the series with Andrew Guest, who serves as showrunner.
"Wonder Man" will be released under the new Marvel Spotlight series banner, which includes standalone series and is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Filming for the "Wonder Man" show will resume after Thanksgiving.
Cretton is also still expected to return for the sequel of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings". Deadline additionally reports that Cretton is currently in talks with Marvel Studios about directing future movies, though there is no word on the specifics of the projects.
Cretton's decision comes on the heels of reports that Disney may consider replacing Majors in the role of Kang. Earlier this month, Variety claimed that there is talk to recast the actor, who is currently embroiled in legal issue following a domestic dispute in March.
Another plan is allegedly to pivot to another comic book villain Dr. Doom. But that won't be easy as the second season of "Loki" sets up Kang as the titular star of a fifth "Avengers" film.
"Marvel is truly f**ked with the whole Kang angle," said one top dealmaker who has seen the season 2 finale of "Loki". "And they haven't had an opportunity to rewrite until very recently [because of the WGA strike]. But I don't see a path to how they move forward with him."
"Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
