Why Was Jonathan Majors Fired as Kang by Marvel?

Jonathan Majors was once going to be the next big villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After making a powerful debut as Kang the Conqueror, his role seemed central to Marvel’s future plans. But by the end of 2023, Marvel fired him. Here’s what happened.

Here’s why Jonathan Majors got fired by Disney and Marvel

Marvel Studios fired Jonathan Majors in December 2023, just hours after a New York City jury found him guilty of reckless assault and second-degree harassment.

The verdict came from a domestic violence case involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. After the conviction, Disney and Marvel confirmed they would no longer work with Majors. This decision ended his run as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel introduced Majors to fans in 2021 as He Who Remains in Loki Season 1. He later played multiple Kang variants in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki Season 2. These roles were meant to shape the core of Marvel’s multiverse saga across Phases 4 to 6. Marvel also planned for him to lead 2026’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, after his legal troubles surfaced, the studio shelved those plans.

A jury found Majors guilty of two charges and acquitted him of two others. Authorities filed the case after his March 2023 arrest for allegedly assaulting Jabbari during an argument in a taxi.

Police reported that he struck her with an open hand, causing bruises on her neck and a laceration behind her ear. Although his legal team claimed he was “provably innocent” and presented what they said was video evidence, the jury ruled against him. The conviction effectively ended his time in the MCU, where he was set to become the franchise’s next major villain after Thanos.

Even after his conviction, Majors expressed hope for a return. In an interview with USA Today, he said he’d gladly reprise the role of Kang, praising his Marvel co-stars and stating his love for the industry. However, Marvel has moved on by rebranding Avengers: The Kang Dynasty as Avengers: Doomsday, with Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.