Marvel Studios will not keep Johnathan Majors for future projects, following his conviction for assault and harassment on Monday.
Previously cast as Marvel Cinematic Universe villain Kang the Conqueror, effectively teased as the successor to Thanos as the next multi-movie big bad, his firing leaves the future of the franchise uncertain. “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” which would have starred Majors and was slated for a 2026 release, has reportedly been changed to the working title of “Avengers 5,” per THR.
Majors had previously featured in the Disney+ series “Loki” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” as alternate versions of Kang. Marvel has yet to comment on whether they will recast the character, though the studio’s hiring of “Loki” writer Michael Waldron in November to rewrite “Avengers 5” suggests the studio was already preparing to refocus in the event of Majors’ conviction.
A New York City jury of six found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation for an altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in March, though he was acquitted of a separate assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors pleaded not guilty to all charges. He will be sentenced on Feb. 6.
While Majors’ lawyer Priya Chaudhry indicated the actor “has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name,” Disney appears to be taking no chances now that a guilty verdict has been reached. Majors’ PR firm The Lede Company and his managers at Entertainment 360 have also dropped him.
“Magazine Dreams,” a bodybuilder drama starring Majors which was set to hit theaters Dec. 8, was also removed from Searchlight Pictures’ release calendar.
Majors’ conviction and firing comes near the conclusion of a particularly troubled year for the MCU, which saw its worst theatrical release ever with November’s “The Marvels,” as well as filming and production delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
