Elijah Williams
Hold on tight! After his epic debut as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Jonathan Majors found himself in a real-life showdown. Brace yourself for the latest update.
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Summary
- Jonathan Majors’ role as Kang the Conqueror in the MCU’s future hangs in the balance due to serious assault charges against him.
- Majors’ Kang is meant to be a major antagonist in the MCU, with multiple appearances already planned; his charges complicate future development and recasting would be difficult.
- Majors maintains his innocence and his attorney claims video evidence and witness testimony will prove his innocence. The outcome of the case will have significant consequences for his career and the MCU’s plans.
After his debut in season 1 of Loki as the Kang variant He Who Remains and as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Jonathan Majors was charged with domestic violence and assault, raising big questions for the future of the MCU. After the defeat of Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU turned to its next big bad, hiring Jonathan Majors to play the time-traveling, multiversal villain Kang the Conqueror (and all his variants). However, serious charges leveled at the actor now put Disney and Marvel Studios in a tight spot.
2023 was off to a big start for Jonathan Majors. Creed III debuted to rave reviews and a strong box office performance, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania marked his first theatrical outing as Kang the Conqueror, but in March, Jonathan Majors was arrested for misdemeanor charges of assault, strangulation, and harassment after an altercation with his girlfriend. Majors’ attorney insists the actor is innocent of the charges, claiming video evidence and witness testimony will exonerate him, putting a big wrinkle in the future development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe until there’s a clear resolution to his case.
Jonathan Majors’ Kang Is Supposed To Be A Big Part Of The MCU’s Future
Majors’ journey as Kang began with his appearance in the season 1 finale of “Loki” and continued with a significant role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” But this is just the beginning. Majors is set to make multiple appearances in the future, including an expanded part in “Loki” season 2, releasing in October. The anticipation builds even further with the next “Avengers” movie, titled “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” scheduled for May 2026. Majors’ involvement in the MCU’s future is undeniable, and it remains to be seen how Disney and Marvel Studios will address the recent charges against him. One thing is for sure, though – the impact of Majors’ role in the MCU cannot be ignored.
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On March 25, 2023, Jonathan Majors was arrested in New York under charges of strangulation, assault, and harassment. The arrest came after a 911 call from the victim, who bravely reported the assault to the police. According to the NYPD, the victim suffered minor injuries to her head and neck and was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Shockingly, it was later revealed that there were multiple alleged victims working with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, collaborating on additional abuse allegations against Majors.
The consequences of these charges have been swift and severe for Majors. He has been removed from ad campaigns for the United States Army and the Texas Rangers, as well as being dropped from his role in Nadia Latif’s movie “The Man in My Basement.” Additionally, his management company and PR representation have cut ties with him. While Majors is innocent until proven guilty, the actions taken by his representation suggest a lack of confidence in his defense. Even if he is proven innocent, the damage to his career has already been done. If convicted, Majors could face criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment for up to one year.
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As Jonathan Majors faces assault allegations, the question arises: what is his legal defense? While the details of his defense strategy are not yet known, it is crucial to remember that Majors is innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and it is their responsibility to present compelling evidence to support the charges against him.
In the meantime, Majors’ career has already suffered significant setbacks. He has been dropped from ad campaigns, lost a role in a movie, and severed ties with his management company and PR representation. These consequences highlight the serious impact that these allegations have had on his professional life, regardless of the outcome of the legal proceedings.
It remains to be seen how Majors’ legal defense will unfold and what the future holds for his career. The charges against him have undoubtedly cast a shadow over his reputation, but only time will tell how this situation will ultimately be resolved.
Majors’ lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, passionately asserts his innocence, claiming he is “provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows.” She confidently states that witness testimony and video evidence will completely vindicate Majors. Chaudhry also argues that the charges against him are a clear example of racial discrimination within the New York justice system, stating, “This glaring double standard between the treatment of Jonathan Majors, a Black man weighing 200 lbs, and his accuser, highlights the racial bias that permeates the criminal justice system.”
Following Majors’ initial arrest, Chaudhry released text messages to TMZ that featured the alleged victim apologizing to Majors and taking responsibility for the incident, promising to ensure that nothing comes of it. These messages, while deflecting blame from Majors, still acknowledge the occurrence of a violent altercation. Combined with the victim’s documented injuries, this evidence poses a challenge for Majors in court.
Jonathan Majors Trial Delayed, New Hearing Set For Oct. 25
During the Sept. 15 hearing, Judge Michael Gaffey scheduled the next hearing for Wednesday, Oct. 25, as reported by Variety. Majors’ defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case in September, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office must respond by Oct. 6, followed by the defense’s response by Oct. 13.
A short hearing was held on Sept. 6, where it was decided that another hearing would take place on Sept. 15, according to Deadline. The defense cited “deficiencies” in their discovery process as the reason for the latest delay. Majors appeared virtually for the Sept. 6 hearing.
In August 2023, Majors appeared in person in a lower Manhattan courtroom for what was supposed to be the start of his trial. However, the trial was postponed following a request from Assistant D.A Kelli Galaway for more time for discovery. The District Attorney’s office expressed their intention to present all the facts and evidence at trial. Majors’ lawyer, Chaudhry, issued a statement after the hearing, emphasizing Majors’ determination to be absolved from this ordeal.
In June 2023, Majors appeared in court for the first time since his arrest in March. Chaudhry’s statement highlighted the defense’s request to dismiss the charges against Majors and initiate proceedings against his first alleged victim, Grace Jabbari, whom they claim attacked him first. The NYPD has stated that they have no plans to make an arrest in relation to this incident.
Will Marvel Recast Jonathan Majors’ Kang?
Majors is just the most recent superhero star to encounter legal trouble and negative press after Ezra Miller, Amber Heard, Anthony Starr, and other comic book actors have faced similar criticisms in recent years. While none of those actors lost their roles due to the allegations against them (with Starr being the only one actually convicted of assault), Marvel previously fired James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 over offensive tweets he’d made in the past. Gunn obviously eventually returned to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but they may not be so quick to pull the trigger with Jonathan Majors.
The allegations against Majors are concerning and should be taken seriously, but Disney and Marvel Studios will likely wait to make any serious decisions about the actor’s future until the case has been resolved in a court of law. While the accusations are sure to tarnish his career even if he’s ultimately found innocent, Majors wouldn’t be the first MCU star in legal trouble. The MCU kicked off by taking a big swing on Iron Man by casting a then-disgraced Robert Downey Jr., and Thanos actor Josh Brolin was also arrested for domestic battery in 2004, although Majors’ charges are far more serious.
While Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is still a few years away, Loki season 2 is a far more immediate concern for Marvel Studios. Majors’ role as the Kang variant Victor Timely was already teased in Quantumania, but the actor could also portray multiple other variants in the series. Originally expected to release on Disney+ in the summer, Loki season 2 will now premiere on October 6. The reason for the delay is unclear, though it may be an attempt to avoid overlap with Majors’ legal proceedings. Marvel Studios has not yet commented on the reason for Loki season 2’s delay to October 6, 2023.
How Marvel Is Marketing Movies & Shows Featuring Jonathan Majors
In the lead up to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s Disney+ release on May 17, Jonathan Majors’ Kang was featured only very briefly in the two trailers Marvel Studios posted online. The focus of the trailers was put more on Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang, Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne and Katherine Newton’s Cassie Lang, which makes sense given they’re the lead heroes. However, Majors’ Kang was a focal point of the promotion for the initial theatrical release of the movie, so his lack of presence in the streaming release promotional material is notable.
Further, at Disney’s upfront presentation on May 16, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige spoke to assembled advertisers and press about upcoming MCU shows, including Loki. He announced Loki season 2’s October release date, spoke about the series, and screened a trailer. According to Axios reporter Tim Baysinger (via Twitter), Feige didn’t mention Majors, nor did Victor Timely or any other Kang variants appear in the Loki season 2 trailer. As previously stated, it’s expected Majors will have a sizable role in Loki season 2 following Quantumania’s post-credits scene, but Marvel Studios may be choosing to downplay his involvement in the marketing of the show.
Neither Disney, Marvel Studios, nor Kevin Feige have commented on Majors’ assault arrest as of the publication of this article. Previously, a Deadline report published on April 17, 2023, stated Marvel had not discussed recMarvel Studios has been keeping fans on their toes with the casting of Jonathan Majors in the MCU. But with Phase 5 of the MCU continuing after the premiere of “Secret Invasion” on Disney+, it seems Marvel won’t be able to keep quiet about Majors for much longer.
According to Joanna Robinson, author of “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios,” Marvel had to change their plans for Phase 5 and 6 after witnessing Majors’ incredible performance as He Who Remains in “Loki” season 1 and Kang the Conqueror in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” It seems Majors’ portrayal was so strong that Marvel couldn’t resist making him the center of everything. This decision has put the studio in a bind, with conflicting stories about whether they will replace him or not.
While we don’t know the specifics of Marvel Studios’ original plan for the Multiverse Saga, which concludes with “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” it has been speculated that Doctor Doom could have been a major threat for “Secret Wars.” However, with the release of Phase 6’s “Fantastic Four” movie before “The Kang Dynasty,” it remains uncertain what Marvel Studios will do in light of the charges against Majors. Until an official statement is released, it can be assumed that Kang the Conqueror will continue to be a major villain in Phase 5 and 6 of the MCU.
In a separate interview with Inverse, Anthony Mackie, star of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” addressed the future of Kang the Conqueror in the MCU following Majors’ arrest. Mackie emphasized the importance of the principle “innocent until proven guilty” and stated that nothing has been proven about Majors yet. So, it seems Marvel Studios will proceed with caution and wait for the legal process to unfold before making any decisions.
Overall, the future of Jonathan Majors’ role in the MCU remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure – his performance has left a lasting impact on Marvel Studios and the fans.
Mackie became the first individual within Marvel Studios to address the arrest and allegations surrounding Jonathan Majors, but he didn’t speculate on whether Majors would be recast in the future of the MCU.
Loki Season 2 Producer Responds To Jonathan Majors’ Assault Arrest
Leading up to the premiere of Loki season 2, producer Kevin Wright was asked by Variety if Majors’ assault arrest had any impact on the show. Wright explained that it didn’t because all filming for the season was completed in 2022, before Majors’ arrest. When asked if the arrest prompted any discussions about changes to Loki season 2, Wright said:
No. 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.
Based on Wright’s comment, it appears that Marvel is waiting for the outcome of Majors’ trial before making any decisions regarding his involvement in the MCU. However, it’s clear that no changes were made to Loki season 2 as a result of Jonathan Majors’ arrest.
Key Release Dates
