Marvel Studios parts ways with Jonathan Majors following assault conviction
Marvel Studios has severed ties with actor Jonathan Majors following his conviction on Monday for assaulting and harassing his former girlfriend, a source familiar with the situation revealed.
Majors, anticipated to lead the next phase of Marvel Cinematic Universe as the supervillain Kang the Conquerer, had portrayed the character in two prior Marvel projects. His role in «Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,» scheduled for 2026, was also confirmed.
Uncertainty looms over who will step into the pivotal role of the chief antagonist for the upcoming interconnected Marvel films, referred to as «Phase Six.»
Before the assault allegations by his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, Majors was widely recognized as one of Hollywood's rising stars. He gained prominence with a supporting role in the acclaimed 2019 indie drama «The Last Black Man in San Francisco,» distributed by A24. Furthermore, he earned an Emmy nomination for his lead role in the HBO series "Lovecraft Country."
His performance in the bodybuilding drama «Magazine Dreams» at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year sparked Oscar buzz. However, the movie, acquired by Disney's Searchlight Pictures, was subsequently withdrawn from the fall release calendar.
In addition to these achievements, Majors appeared in two major blockbusters this year: «Creed III» and Marvel's «Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.» Both films grossed over $150 million each at the North American box office, solidifying the actor's standing in the industry.
The jury in Manhattan, comprising nine individuals, found Majors, aged 34, guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. However, he was acquitted of
