In a significant turn of events that has captured the entertainment industry's attention, actor Jonathan Majors has spoken publicly about his firing from Marvel following his conviction for assault. Once hailed as a rising star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for his role as Kang the Conqueror, Majors’ career took an alarming detour after a conviction that led to the studio's decision to replace him with a more established villain.
Majors, who gained popularity for his portrayal of Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and in Season 2 of Loki, saw his promising trajectory abruptly halted in early 2024. His legal troubles stemmed from a reported incident involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Initially arrested about a month after the February 2023 release of his film, he was found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor assault and harassment ten months later. The repercussions were immediate and far-reaching, as Marvel decided to drop him shortly after the conviction.
In an interview with Variety, Majors discussed his reaction to Marvel's decision and reflected on how it affected him personally and professionally. "It’s not in my control. I see it clearly. I understand – it’s a publicly traded company. You’re trying to do this; you can’t have this [controversy] around," he expressed, clarifying that he holds no resentment toward the franchise. "That’s what happens when this happens. I don’t hold it against them. I want to make that very clear. I’m not upset with anybody about that. I’m not upset at all.”
The conversation took an additional twist with Marvel's announcement that the iconic villain Doctor Doom will now replace Kang in the upcoming Avengers films. This transition marks a significant pivot for the franchise, as the evidence points to Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role, transitioning from his previous character, Iron Man. While many fans support the choice, others view it as an unconventional fit for such a pivotal villain in the Marvel lore.
Despite the controversy surrounding Majors, fan reactions have ranged from disappointment over losing Kang to support for the new direction. Some comments sited in fan forums illustrate a mixed sentiment: "Replacing Kang with Dr. Doom was the right choice...Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom was 33 steps back," indicating a divide among fans regarding the casting choice despite the character's potential significance. Others noted, "I’ve been wanting this for a while, as a Doom fan" but expressed a desire for a different actor, steering clear of any association with Stark variants.
Amidst the upheaval, Majors acknowledged the toll that being dropped from Marvel took on him. After learning about his firing through informal channels, he felt compelled to reach out to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige: "I just want to clear the record, yeah, it sucks. It sucks, right? Like boom, you get the verdict, then boom [you’re dropped], but Marvel’s not mishandling anything by it coming through the grapevine.” This letter reflected his commitment to maintaining a professional relationship despite the unfortunate circumstances.
As for his relationship with Marvel, Majors remains optimistic about the possibility of returning someday, should the opportunity arise. "I just love him. I loved my time at Marvel, and I still love Kang. I’m watching them. I see what they’re doing, and I’m pulling for them. If they need me, they know where I’m at,” he stated, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and hope for future collaboration.
Beyond Marvel, Jonathan Majors is strategically moving forward in his career. His latest film, Magazine Dreams, is set to release soon, portraying an aspiring bodybuilder dealing with personal and financial hardships. Furthermore, he is in pre-production for a new revenge thriller titled Merciless, directed by Martin Villeneuve. These projects highlight that while his Marvel journey may have ended, his pursuit of acting and storytelling continues.
Furthermore, Majors has embraced new chapters in his personal life. On March 19, 2025, he shared that he married actress Meagan Good in a small ceremony officiated by his mother in Los Angeles. Describing this milestone on the Sherri show, Majors said, "I said to Meagan yesterday, 'Today might be the happiest day of my life.' I love that woman so much. We fell in love. We finally got to do it, but it was always the plan."
As fans and critics watch what unfolds next, both for Majors and for the MCU, it becomes clear that the landscape of these dynamic narratives is ever-changing. The focus will soon shift to Doctor Doom as Marvel seeks to redefine its storylines amidst the shadows cast by Majors’ past actions. How fans receive these changes remains to be seen, but the reactions so far indicate a landscape of both criticism and cautious optimism.
