Iron Man 3
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is presently lot withKang the Conqueror(Jonathan Majors ) and his variants , and while these have been introduced in the Multiverse Saga , a wild MCU hypothesis claims a Kang variant was introduced a decade ago . After fighting Thanos and getting rid of the Infinity Stones in the Infinity Saga , the MCU ’s heroes are now get up for a multiversal war inAvengers : The Kang DynastyandAvengers : Secret Wars , which will enter more Kang variants , as beleaguer in the mid and post - credits scenes inAnt - Man and the Wasp : Quantumania .
Kang the Conqueror is a time - jaunt , multiversal being , and the MCU has already teased the unlike roles that his variants have had across clip and space . However , there ’s still a lot to learn about Kang ’s variants and their places in the MCU ’s multiverse , as well as if and how many of them have already been part of the MCU ’s past Phases . With that in mind , a wild MCU hypothesis claims that Marvel quietly introduced its first Kang form inIron Man 3 , and if lawful , it would give off the vainglorious vamp in Tony Stark ’s third solo movie .
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MCU Theory Explained: Iron Man 3’s Harley Keener Is A Kang Variant
AReddituser paint a picture thatIron Man 3 ’s Harley Keener ( Ty Simpkins ) was the first Kang var. present in the MCU – and , more specifically , he will end up becoming Iron Lad . Kang ’s real name is Nathaniel Richards , and he ’s a descendent of Reed Richards who became fascinated with history and discovered the fourth dimension locomotion technology created by Victor Von Doom , who is another potential ascendant of his . The 16 - year - old version of Nathaniel was once rescued by his grownup self , Kang the Conqueror , before he was set on by yobo , which led to him being hospitalise for age and was a fundamental moment that mold his shift into a villain . Kang took his younger ego through time to show him the future battles and wins he would look , but Nathaniel was horrified by it all , so he took the time travel technology and enchant himself to the past times , where he seek the Avengers for assistant and ended up becoming Iron Lad .
Although Harley showed no signs of villainy inIron Man 3and Iron Lad is a superhero , unlike Kang , the author of the possibility suggests Harley / Iron Lad will go on a way of revenge . As Harley and Tony Stark ’s James Bond was quite strong and he was n’t present during the Battle of Earth , Harley could blame the Avengers for Tony ’s death , thus using his unexampled technology and superhero identity to get revenge against them . Now , the MCU has already made swelled changes to its lineament ’ comic record book story , so it ’s possible that it could retcon Harley ’s MCU chronicle to fit that of Nathaniel Richards / Kang the Conqueror . Harley could bethe Kang variantwho does n’t know what his variants have done across fourth dimension and infinite , just like in the comic , or , knowing that time - locomotion is possible afterAvengers : Endgame , he will learn he ’s a Kang variant and will put his knowledge and skill to good use and come up with the Iron Lad suit .
Iron Man 3 Set Harley Up As Tony Stark’s Replacement
Harley run across Tony Stark when the latter arrive at his service department after his armour crashed and he was unable to remedy it and return home . Stark and Harley quickly bonded , and the vernal boy turned out to be of swell help to the genius , billionaire , playboy , philanthropist as he not only gave him shelter and keep the secret of him hide out in his service department , but also helped him renovate his Iron Man suit , build new widget , and investigatethe Mandarin ’s plans . After Stark left him all that young equipment for Harley to keep on excogitate stuff , it was clear thatIron Man 3was setting Harley up to be Iron Man ’s refilling … until the MCU introduced Peter Parker ( Tom Holland ) and turned him into Stark ’s mentee . However , Harley made a surprise appearance during Tony Stark ’s funeral inAvengers : Endgame , revealing that they keep in touch after the case ofIron Man 3 , so he surely pick up more from the late submarine during that time .
How Harley Being A Kang Variant Sets Up Avengers 5 & 6
If Harley Keener is a Kang variant , it would mean that the MCU ’s main timeline has had at least one of them for years , and most intriguing is the fact that it ’s unknown what he has been doing sinceIron Man 3 , so his revenge mission and his knowledge of the multiverse and Kang could be a draw more extensive that it might seem . Harley ’s revenge military mission against the Avengers could be intemperately tempt bythe rest of Kang ’s chance variable , but there ’s also a chance that the Avengers will prove to him that Tony ’s death had to happen so as to keep the world , thus convincing him to join their side of the battle , and he can be a very powerful friend . TurningIron Man 3 ’s Harley Keener into a Kang variant would pay off the movie ’s tease about him own a big role in the MCU , while also making the difference withKang ’s variants even more complex than it already is .
Next : All 5 clue To Kang Marvel Hid In MCU Phase 1 - 4