2023: Marvel Drops Jonathan Majors After Conviction

In a significant blow to his career, Emmy-nominated actor Jonathan Majors, renowned for his portrayal of Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, has been dropped by Marvel Studios after being convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari.

A New York jury found Majors, 34, guilty of attacking and harassing Jabbari during a March altercation, leading Marvel Studios to sever ties with the actor. Majors had been expected to play a prominent role in upcoming Marvel productions, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the Disney+ series “Loki.”

Facing potential imprisonment of up to a year, Majors’ conviction prompted Marvel to reconsider his involvement in projects such as “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and its sequel, “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Marvel spokespersons confirmed that Majors would no longer be part of their upcoming projects, marking a significant setback for the actor who had received an Emmy nomination and widespread acclaim.

The repercussions extend beyond Marvel, affecting other projects associated with Majors. The release of the film “Dreams,” in which he starred and was considered an Oscar contender, has been postponed. Additionally, the US Army dropped Majors from a major advertising campaign in light of the assault conviction.

The incident leading to Majors’ conviction occurred when Ms. Jabbari discovered a text message on his phone expressing affection from another woman. The ensuing altercation resulted in Ms. Jabbari sustaining injuries, including a fractured finger, bruising, and a cut behind her ear. The jury did not convict Majors on charges of aggravated harassment and assault with intent to cause physical harm.

Voice recordings and text messages presented during the trial depicted a pattern of escalating violence and attempts to control Ms. Jabbari emotionally and physically. The prosecution argued that the assault was a culmination of Majors’ efforts to exert dominance in the relationship.

In a statement, Majors’ lawyer reiterated the actor’s belief in his innocence, expressing faith in the legal process and the prospect of fully clearing his name. A new protection order was issued, mandating no contact between Majors and Ms. Jabbari.

The future of Marvel’s projects, initially centered around Majors’ involvement, remains uncertain as the studio explores potential replacements or alterations to accommodate the sudden change. The impact of this conviction on Majors’ once-promising career underscores the gravity of personal conduct in the entertainment industry and its far-reaching consequences.