How ‘Loki’ Writer Michael Waldron Convinced Marvel To Change He Who Remains
One of the most iconic moments of Marvel’s Phase Four came in the revelation that a variant of Kang was behind the entire TVA; we now have the backstory of how Loki writer Michael Waldron convinced Marvel to change He Who Remains.
There are few Marvel projects that could share the level of adoration from fans that came from Loki.
Photo: Marvel
A series that explored the iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe villain, Loki gave veteran MCU actor Tom Hiddleston a stage for which to explore the mythological figure in a way that was impossible without the long-form storytelling format.
The series not only was a chance for the MCU to greatly explore one of its most popular characters, but it also presented an opportunity for exploration into the previously unexplored multiverse.
President Loki. Photo: Marvel Studios
Bringing in the TVA, and alternate realities set the premise for what would be a major focus of Marvel’s Phase Four in general; and something that would also introduce one of Marvel’s most menacing entities.
However, it doesn’t seem like the MCU had always planned to introduce the iconic time-traveling villain in the series, as we now know the story of how Loki write Michael Waldron convinced Marvel to change He Who Remains.
Source: Marvel Studios
In an interview with The Playlist, Waldron stated, “The TVA shifted to like, ‘O.K., these guys are actually guarding against ta multiverse.’ And so that when He Who Remains is just kind of an old creepy guy in the comics.”
“And I pushed and Marvel was very receptive to it, the idea, this should be a variant of Kang.” Waldron continued, “Because I knew Kang was coming down the pipe as a villain in the MCU and it just felt oo delicious to not have him intertwined in our time travel story somehow.”
Source: Marvel Studios
Waldron concluded by stating, “And so then it was just been coming upon us to justify his role in this place, but Marvel was very supportive of all that.”
The decision to make He Who Remains a variant of Kang was an incredible idea, and only build anticipation for him as the main antagonist of the highly anticipated Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Source: Marvel Studios
