Jonathan Majors has fumbled the Marvel bag. That Marvel money is something many actors in Holywood pray night and day for.
After all, who would be foolish enough to let go of a role in a mega-franchise that guarantees riches and fame? Well, Majors was.
But why was he fired? And what is the future of Kang in the MCU now?
On December 18, 2023, Marvel Studios fired Jonathan Majors, who played the character Kang in the MCU. The mega-franchise dropped him after a New York jury convicted him of assaulting his former girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari, in March 2023. His sentencing will be on February 6, 2024. Whether Marvel will recast the character or scrap off, Kang has yet to be confirmed.
Why Did Marvel Drop Kang Actor? What Did Jonathan Majors Do?
In a shocking turn of events, Jonathan Majors, the Emmy-nominated actor known for his role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, has been dismissed by Marvel Studios, BBC confirmed.
This news comes after he was convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari, in March 2023.
This conviction, handed down by a New York jury, has not only put Majors’ career in jeopardy but has also had ripple effects on several projects he was involved in.
The incident leading to Majors’ conviction occurred during a heated altercation between him and Ms. Jabbari over a text message she discovered on his phone.
The message, which read, “Wish I was kissing you right now,” sparked a confrontation that turned violent. Majors forcibly grabbed Ms. Jabbari, twisted her arm behind her back, and struck her in the head, resulting in a fractured finger, bruising, and a cut behind her ear.
Following the verdict, Marvel Studios wasted no time severing ties with the disgraced actor, announcing they would no longer collaborate with him.
This decision came as a significant blow to Majors, who had been enjoying a rising star in Hollywood and a promising future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His portrayal of Kang the Conqueror in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the Disney+ series “Loki” had garnered critical acclaim and fan admiration.
Marvel had already faced challenges due to the legal issues surrounding Majors.
Release dates for upcoming projects were pushed back, including “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” in which he was set to play a prominent role.
Even the highly anticipated film “Magazine Dreams,” once considered an Oscar contender featuring Majors, had its release postponed.
The repercussions of Majors’ actions extended beyond the entertainment industry.
Once the news of his initial arrest came out, the US Army also dropped Majors from a significant advertising campaign following news of his arrest, indicating the severity of the situation.
Jonathan Majors’ sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2024, and the judge has issued a protection order requiring him to have no contact with Ms. Jabbari.
The future of Marvel’s projects involving Kang the Conqueror remains to be determined.
It now remains to be seen whether Marvel will seek to replace Majors with another actor or choose to write his character out of the storyline.
Who Will Play Kang Now?
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Majors’ role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) due to his legal issues, there appear to be three viable options for Marvel Studios and its head, Kevin Feige, to consider.
The first option is to recast the role, a strategy that the MCU has employed successfully in the past.
Notably, Edward Norton’s Hulk was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, and Don Cheadle stepped in for Terence Howard in Iron Man 2 onwards. One of the most popular fancasts is John Boyega playing the character.
However, he has publicly confirmed that he isn’t interested in the role. But other actors might be interested in the character.
Also, what makes recasting Kang relatively straightforward is the character’s nature as a time traveler with variant versions across the multiverse.
The Kang featured in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” was not intended to be an exact replica of He Who Remains from the Loki series. As seen in “Loki,” variations can take various forms regarding appearance, gender, race, and even species.
The second option involves pivoting the storyline to place Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, in the role originally intended for Kang.
In the closing moments of “Loki” Season One, Loki, having confronted his variant Sylvie, embarked on a journey to protect the multiverse.
Instead of reviving a menacing villain to oversee the timeline, Loki himself could become the new guardian of the multiverse, assuming a throne at the end of time.
While Loki is meant to serve as a benevolent overseer, this shift in the narrative could still encompass the cosmic responsibilities previously designated for He Who Remains and other Kang variants.
The third option is to reconsider Kang altogether.
While “Kang Dynasty” had been previously announced, its release is slated for the summer of 2026, providing some flexibility. Marvel could opt to abandon the Kang storyline and explore alternative creative directions.
This choice might be preferable to adhering rigidly to a predetermined title and plotline, especially if other compelling narratives emerge.
Additionally, MCU fans speculate that characters like Doctor Doom could fill the void left by Kang, taking on prominent roles in films like “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
In conclusion, Marvel Studios faces a pivotal decision regarding the future of Kang the Conqueror in the MCU amidst Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles.
What option will Marvel choose? Which one is the best, in your opinion? If Kang is recast, which actor would you like to play him?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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