Avengers 5 is rumored to premiere sometime in 2023; however, recent reports indicate that the film will be smaller in scale than Endgame. Mirroring the first Avengers film from 2012, the movie will presumably set up a new core group of heroes — fans will go from the “OG 6” to the “Reinvented 6” — as the movie lays the groundwork for future mash-ups.

‘Fantastic Four’ | ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Evidence suggests — based on prior leaks, MCU Phase 4 plans, and Marvel formula — that the new Avengers, at least the ones set to take center stage, will consist of Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Mighty Thor, and Falcon. Considering all of these heroes have received at least one standalone installment (or have introductions on the horizon), the team is already coming to fruition. However, who will be the main villain, and when will they appear in the MCU?

While rumors concerning the next Thanos continue to sprout up in all corners of the internet, based on what we know so far, it’s likely that the main villain set to face off against the Avengers will be introduced via a Fantastic Four film. Let’s break it down.

What we know so far about the MCU’s next big bad

Following the Fox/Disney merger, Marvel gained access to a slew of supers and villains previously off-limits. The prized possessions to come from the negotiation: the X-men and the Fantastic Four. While the X-Men will likely come to play in a manner involving Deadpool, it seems that the MCU’s next big villain is bound to come to the forefront via the Fantastic Four. Why? The two most likely bad guys for Marvel’s future are narratively bound to the four heroes.

Doctor Doom and Kang the Conqueror are two big baddies likely to threaten the Avengers moving forward. According to a recent story by We Got This Covered, Marvel Studios wants Kang the Conqueror in the MCU very soon and is already eyeing various actors for Doom.

We Got This Covered goes on to explain why Kang the Conqueror may show up in a Fantastic Four reboot, and people who follow comics will already understand why this film is a viable introduction. Kang the Conqueror’s real name is Nathaniel Richards, and he is likely a descendant of Mr. Fantastic, as We Got This Covered notes. However, he could also show up in the Young Avenger, as the character is tied to Iron Lad, so there is more than one possibility here.

As for Doctor Doom, he is one of the most famous foes to take on the Fantastic Four. Played by Julian McMahon in the 2005 critical flop Fantastic Four, the character has a tense and combative relationship with Reed Richards — tracing back to scientific disagreements and an ever-present inferiority complex.

Considering both Kang the Conqueror and Doctor Doom would be powerful enough and convincing as villains who could take on a single team and win, either could be the next Thanos, and either has the potential to come forward via a Fantastic Four reboot and hopefully one that fares better than its predecessors.