Marvel Drops Jonathan Majors as Kang: What’s Next? : Marvel heavily invested in Jonathan Majors, making his departure a significant setback, disrupting years of strategic planning for its cinematic universe.
Soon after the verdict, an individual knowledgeable about the matter, who wasn’t permitted to comment publicly, verified that both Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. have removed Majors from all upcoming projects due to his conviction for assault and harassment.
Disney’s rapid action signifies a dramatic shift for an actor once hailed as one of Hollywood’s most rapidly ascending talents. On Monday, a Manhattan jury convicted Majors, 34, on one count of misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation stemming from a March incident involving his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. While Majors was cleared of another assault charge and aggravated harassment, his sentencing is scheduled for February 6.
Marvel’s Phase 5: Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror
For Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio selected the esteemed Majors for the role of Kang the Conqueror. Anticipated to feature across multiple films and series, Kang was poised to be the MCU’s subsequent pivotal adversary following Thanos from “Avengers: Endgame.”
Majors had previously featured in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the initial two seasons of the television series “Loki.” His next anticipated appearance was in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” slated for a May 2026 release.
The status of “The Kang Dynasty” remains uncertain. Disney has not provided clarity on whether they will seek a new actor for the Kang role or explore alternative plans.
Marvel’s Challenges Amidst Jonathan Majors’ Departure
While the studio had anticipated potential changes due to Majors’ situation, Marvel faced constraints during the screenwriters’ strike from May to late September, limiting their ability to make immediate alterations. In light of this, they recently enlisted screenwriter Michael Waldron to revise “The Kang Dynasty.”
For Marvel, Majors’ exit compounds a string of recent challenges. Despite its unparalleled box-office achievements, amassing nearly $30 billion globally from 33 films, the superhero giant has encountered some unexpected hurdles. “The Marvels,” which premiered in November, emerged as the MCU’s least successful release, garnering only $204 million in global ticket revenues.
Majors garnered attention for his role as a conflicted amateur bodybuilder in “Magazine Dreams,” receiving praise after its notable premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January. Disney-owned Searchlight Pictures acquired the film, leading many to anticipate an Oscar nomination for Majors.
The release for “Magazine Dreams” was initially set for December 8. However, in light of Majors’ impending trial, Searchlight opted to pull the film from its scheduled debut.
In late February, around the time of the release of “Creed III,” which features Majors alongside Michael B. Jordan, Majors discussed with The Associated Press in Chelsea. Interestingly, this location was close to where his altercation with Jabbari in New York would later occur.
Majors expressed a clear understanding that his swift rise to fame came with potential pitfalls.
“I haven’t encountered the boogeyman myself, but I’m aware of its existence,” Majors shared with AP. “Having been around, I recognize its presence. I won’t delve deep into that dark path, but challenges are inevitable. The key is to evade it, to remain unseen. I aim to stay out of the spotlight.”