After Guilty Verdict Today Jonathan Majors Released from Marvel. This comes just hours after a jury found the actor guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and guilty of harassment. The sentencing date has been set for February. In the meantime, Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Mr. Majors has been released from Marvel and will continue on without him.
As of now, there is no word from Marvel Studios of Kang the Conqueror being recast. It seems like the newest Marvel Saga may be in jeopardy. Below is what the Hollywood Reporter is saying:
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“Jonathan Majors is out at Marvel Studios in a stunning career blow for the once-rising actor.
On Dec. 18, a Manhattan jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and guilty of harassment following a two-week trial that stemmed from a March incident between the actor and his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari.
Before his March arrest, Majors was positioned as the key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the Disney-owned studio building its entire current story arc around Majors’ Kang the Conqueror. The time-traveling villain factored into Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania as well as both seasons of Loki and he was going to lead Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, slated for May 1, 2026.”
Marvel has previously undergone recasting due to creative and financial disputes rather than legal issues. An instance of this occurred when Terrence Howard played James Rhodes in the initial Iron Man (2008), but declined to return for the 2010 sequel citing pay reasons, leading to Don Cheadle taking on the role. Similarly, Edward Norton, the original lead in The Incredible Hulk (2008), clashed creatively with Marvel, resulting in Mark Ruffalo taking over the role for The Avengers (2012).
Jonathan Majors, once hailed as one of Hollywood’s promising talents, has faced recent challenges. Alongside his role in Quantumania, he starred in Creed III in 2023 and gained recognition with The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Devotion, Lovecraft Country, The Harder They Fall, and Da 5 Bloods. Despite Magazine Dreams premiering at Sundance in January 2023, its future remains uncertain as distributor Searchlight removed it from the calendar amid Majors’ legal issues.
Following the legal troubles, both the PR firm The Lede Company and the Majors’ managers at Entertainment 360 severed ties with the actor. While he is still represented by WME, a change in representation may be on the horizon depending on the verdict.
It is not our place to discuss the charges, but Mr. Majors was found Guilty by a court of law. Domestic Violence of any kind has no place in the 21st century. Marvel has every right to protect their brand. Marvel had been waiting until this verdict had come in apparently, and played it safe.
If he was found not guilty, they had a star on their hands and a franchise to protect. Once he was found guilty, Marvel did the smart thing and let the rising star go, and will move forward.
