Is Jonathan Majors in Marvel? The short answer is no. Marvel Studios cut ties with Jonathan Majors in December 2023 after his conviction for assault, abruptly ending his tenure as Kang the Conqueror—a role destined to anchor the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for years.
This decision forced Marvel to overhaul its Multiverse Saga, shifting focus to new antagonists like Doctor Doom while leaving Kang’s fate uncertain.
From Breakout Star to Marvel’s Next Big Villain
Majors first appeared as He Who Remains in Loki Season 1 (2021), teasing Kang’s multiversal threat. His magnetic performance earned critical acclaim, leading to a central role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), where Kang was positioned as the MCU’s next Thanos-level threat.
Marvel had reportedly structured Phases 4–6 around Majors, with plans for him to headline Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026) .
Kang’s MCU Timeline
| Project | Role | Significance |
| Loki S1 | He Who Remains | Introduced Kang’s variants |
| Quantumania | Kang the Conqueror | Established as the Multiverse Saga’s main villain |
| Loki S2 | Victor Timely | Highlighted Kang’s timeline manipulation |
Assault Conviction and Marvel’s Swift Exit
Majors’ Marvel career collapsed after his March 2023 arrest for assaulting then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Despite maintaining his innocence, a jury convicted him of reckless assault and harassment in December 2023. Marvel terminated his contract within hours of the verdict, citing “zero tolerance” for misconduct .
Key Dates in Majors’ Downfall
- March 25, 2023: Arrested in NYC; managers and brands drop him.
- December 18, 2023: Convicted; Marvel severs ties.
- April 2024: Loses appeal; career prospects dim.
Marvel’s Kang Dilemma
Post-Majors, Marvel faced two paths:
- Recast Kang: Risky due to Majors’ acclaim and Kang’s established presence.
- Pivot to New Villains: Introduced Doctor Doom as the Multiverse Saga’s new antagonist.
At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel announced Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (replacing The Kang Dynasty), effectively shelving Kang .
Box Office Impact of Majors’ Exit
- Quantumania earned $476M but received poor reviews (47% Rotten Tomatoes).
- Avengers: Doomsday’s announcement sparked mixed fan reactions, with 62% of polled viewers supporting the recast .
Doctor Doom Takes Center Stage
Marvel’s post-Majors strategy includes:
- Rewriting Avengers 5 with Loki scribe Michael Waldron.
- Using Loki Season 2 to downplay Kang’s threat (e.g., TVA neutralizing his variants).
- Fast-tracking Fantastic Four (2025) to establish Doctor Doom’s backstory.
Kang vs. Doom: Marvel’s Swapped Plans
| Factor | Kang Era | Doom Era |
| Actor | Jonathan Majors | Robert Downey Jr. |
| Narrative | Multiverse war | Political manipulation |
| Fan Hype | Moderate (post-Quantumania) | High (Iron Man nostalgia) |
Jonathan Majors’ Career Post-Marvel
Since his firing, Majors:
- Lost leads in Magazine Dreams and a Dennis Rodman biopic.
- Signed for the indie thriller Merciless (2025).
- Told Variety: “I’d return as Kang if Marvel asked” .
Why “Is Jonathan Majors in Marvel?” No Longer Matters
- Legal Liability: Majors’ conviction made him untenable.
- Creative Reset: Loki Season 2 provided an off-ramp for Kang’s arc.
- Audience Fatigue: Quantumania’s $476M gross underperformed for Marvel .
Takeaways
Is Jonathan Majors in Marvel? The answer remains a definitive no. His exit marks one of the MCU’s most consequential recasts, underscoring the risks of centering a saga on a single actor.
While Kang’s unresolved arcs linger, Marvel’s pivot to Doctor Doom reflects its knack for adapting to real-world turbulence—even at the cost of scrapping years of planning.
