In a high profile turn of events, Marvel Studios reportedly cut ties with actor Jonathan Majors following court findings related to an assault case involving his former partner. The Hollywood Reporter noted the decision came after the legal proceedings surrounding Majors, who had been a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years.
According to the publication, the incident involving Majors and his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari occurred in March. On December 18, a jury delivered a verdict finding Majors guilty of third degree assault and harassment. Majors has staunchly maintained his innocence. He is slated to be sentenced on February 6, 2024, facing potential penalties including up to a year in prison. These developments marked a significant moment for the actor’s career and the broader Marvel slate, prompting a shift in production plans and public relations considerations for the studios involved, as reported by major outlets.
Majors had portrayed Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and had ascended to the role of He Who Remains in the first two seasons of Loki. The actor’s future in the MCU was widely anticipated, including a major appearance in Avengers: Kang Dynasty, which had been scheduled for release on May 2, 2025, and was expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the franchise’s Phase Six storyline.
In November, director Destin Daniel Cretton announced a plan to stay focused on the overarching Avengers project while maintaining momentum across other Marvel titles, a decision viewed as a strategic move to navigate the evolving roster without Majors at the center of the upcoming ensemble feature. This shift reflected broader industry considerations about casting, risk, and franchise momentum in a high-stakes market.
As reported by Deadline, the releases Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars were slated for the United States on May 2 and November 7, 2025, respectively, with the two films framed as the culmination of Phase Six and a turning point for the MCU’s cinematic universe. The timing suggested a deliberate, high-profile finish to a chapter of interconnected storytelling that has drawn huge audiences around the world, including Canada and the United States.
The global premiere of a much-anticipated superhero event in the MCU landscape occurred when Avengers: Endgame debuted on April 18, 2019, establishing an enduring benchmark for studio ambition and fan expectations. The narrative surrounding Majors intersects with a broader conversation about star power, legal accountability, and the impact of real-world events on planned film openings and franchise continuity.
Earlier reports also mentioned that Anya Taylor-Joy might join the cast of Fantastic Four, a development that continued to shape speculation about the lineup of characters and actors involved in future Marvel projects despite ongoing uncertainties around Majors’ eligibility for future appearances.
In summary, the situation surrounding Jonathan Majors has prompted Marvel Studios to reassess the integration of the actor within upcoming ensemble productions while maintaining a clear focus on the franchise’s broader schedule and narrative ambitions. With Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars positioned as major milestones for Phase Six, the industry watches closely to see how the studio navigates talent decisions, public reception, and the evolving landscape of superhero cinema, especially in North American markets where the fan base remains extraordinarily engaged.