Jonathan Majors (left) portrays Kang the Conqueror in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ (right).Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage, Everett
Karwai Tang/WireImage, Everett
Marvel execs may recast embattled starJonathan Majorsin upcoming projects or pivot away from featuring his character altogether, according to a new report inVariety.
Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in 2023’sAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaand is featured in the current season of the Disney+ seriesLoki, was set to be featured in various other upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe titles, including a fifth Avengers movie.
But the studio has grown increasingly nervous as the actor, 34, who was arrested in March on misdemeanor domestic violence charges, heads to trial this month, the outlet quotes sources as saying.
Majors could be sentenced up to a year in jail if he’s found guilty at a criminal trial.
According toVariety, Marvel execs, including studio chief Kevin Feige, recently gathered in Palm Springs for an annual retreat where “the most pressing issue” was what to do about Majors.
Per the outlet, one plan floated would have the MCU pivot to focusing on a different antagonist such as Dr. Doom. Recasting Majors altogether is also an option,Varietyclaimed.
Paul Rudd and Jonathan Majors in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’.Everett
Everett
The report comes on the heels of Disney pulling Majors’ upcoming movie,Magazine Dreams, which was set to be released in theaters Dec. 4, from its schedule.
Despite the apparent discussions held at the Marvel retreat,Lokiexecutive producer Kevin Wright toldVarietyin October that he never had talks about dropping Majors from the current season of the show. “And that mainly came from — I know as much as you do at the moment. It felt hasty to do anything without knowing how all of this plays out,” he said.
The MCU has been a cash cow for the studio, earning $30 billion since the debut of Iron Man in 2008, and Majors was poised to be a major player going forward.
But in March the actor was arrested in New York after an alleged domestic dispute. “The victim informed police she was assaulted,” the NYPD told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. “The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition.”
He was charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment two days later, but his lawyer insisted to PEOPLE “is completely innocent and probably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows.”
In June, Majors filed a domestic violence complaint against the alleged victim, Grace Jabbari, who wasarrested on Oct. 25 and charged with assault and criminal mischief.
In a court document filed previously, the DA’s Office said they had “informed Ms. Jabbari’s attorney” on Sept. 21 that they “would decline to prosecute Ms. Jabbari if she were arrested.”
Majors’ trial is set to begin Nov. 29.
source: people.com
