Jonathan Majors Guilty Verdict Could Lead To Cancellation Of Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Kang Dynasty’
Jonathan Majors' conviction Monday has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the fate of Marvel's "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty."
A spokeswoman for Marvel Studios said the company severed ties with Majors shortly after he was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts related to the assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, The New York Times reported.
The actor, who was cast to play the pivotal role of the time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) Multiverse Saga, could face a jail term of just under a year, with his sentencing scheduled for Feb. 6.
The decision to part ways with Majors is a significant blow to Marvel, given his central role in the Multiverse Saga.
Majors' Kang appeared in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" as well as both seasons of "Loki." The character was also set to lead "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," slated for 2026.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Kang Dynasty" is still in the script phase and shooting has not yet begun. In November, Marvel hired Michael Waldron, the creator of "Loki," to work on a new draft of "Kang Dynasty" (now referred to as "Avengers 5").
The interconnected nature of the MCU complicates Marvel's response and there are indications that the studio may already be exploring alternatives.
The studio now faces creative decisions, including the possibility of recasting Kang or canceling "Kang Dynasty" and reshaping the Multiverse Saga.
Recasting in the MCU is not unprecedented, but the circumstances surrounding Majors' exit present unique challenges.
The interconnected storytelling and financial considerations for a high-profile character like Kang further complicate the decision-making process, Variety noted.
The verdict, which acquitted Majors on two counts that required prosecutors to show he had acted with intent, has left his career in jeopardy.
Entertainment 360, Majors' talent manager, and the Lede Company, his publicity firm, parted ways with him even before he was found guilty.
The U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers also dropped ad campaigns featuring Majors, and several film projects, including Spike Lee's "Da Understudy," remain in limbo.
Majors, once an in-demand actor, saw a swift decline in his career after his arrest on March 25 on assault and harassment charges. His bodybuilding drama "Magazine Dreams," which earned Majors critical acclaim for his performance, was rumored to be a prospective awards contender but has since been quietly removed from Searchlight Pictures' release calendar.
Majors' trial, which lasted nearly two weeks, revealed disturbing texts and an audio recording between the actor and his ex-girlfriend.
The prosecution argued that Majors assaulted Jabbari in a private car, leading to injuries.
However, Majors denied assaulting Jabbari, with the defense claiming she was the aggressor.
