Marvel Studios has ended its working relationship with actor Jonathan Majors following his conviction in an assault and harassment case, putting the future of the highly anticipated Avengers: Kang Dynasty in doubt.
Majors had been cast as the key villain, Kang the Conqueror, who was set to appear across several upcoming Marvel films including the highly anticipated Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. But after a jury found Majors guilty of third-degree assault and harassment charges stemming from a March dispute, Marvel decided to drop the actor from future projects.
This presents a major storyline challenge for the studio, which had structured its next phase of MCU films around Majors’ Kang character. Marvel must now decide whether to recast the role or overhaul its creative plans to focus on a different lead villain.
While Marvel has recast roles in the past over disputes – like swapping out Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle as James Rhodes, War Machine – this is the first time an actor has been removed due to legal troubles.
There are already signs Marvel has started shifting course, with reports it has brought on writer Michael Waldron, creator of Loki, to rework the Kang Dynasty script.
For Majors, once considered a fast-rising talent in Hollywood, the conviction represents a major career setback. In addition to being cut loose by Marvel, the fate of his other upcoming projects remains in limbo. Meanwhile, Majors lost major PR and management representation in the wake of his legal issues.
What happens next for both Marvel and its former star remains to be seen. But the studio now faces big creative questions about the next chapter of its cinematic universe.
The Avengers will most likely be delayed and Kang will be recast. At this time, Marvel has invested a lot in Kang’s character, since the Antman movie and now super popular Loki series that’s still making waves among fans. Pulling Kang out of the upcoming Avengers movie will be a setback to these events.