Emmy-nominated actor Jonathan Majors, renowned for his portrayal of Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, faces a significant setback in his career as he has been dropped by Marvel Studios following his conviction for assaulting his former girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari.
On Monday, a New York jury found Majors, 34, guilty of attacking and harassing Jabbari during a March altercation. The verdict has led to Marvel Studios severing ties with the actor, who had been anticipated to feature prominently in upcoming Marvel productions.
Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in films such as “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the Disney+ series “Loki,” now faces potential imprisonment of up to a year when sentenced on February 6. The actor’s conviction has 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 fall from grace for the actor who had been nominated for an Emmy and garnered widespread acclaim for his performances.
The repercussions of Majors’ conviction extend beyond Marvel, impacting other projects he was associated with. The release of the film “Dreams,” in which he starred and was being 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 from another woman expressing affection. The ensuing altercation resulted in Ms. Jabbari sustaining a fractured finger, bruising, and a cut behind her ear. The jury, however, declined to 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.
A statement from Majors’ lawyer reiterated the actor’s belief in his innocence, expressing faith in the legal process and the prospect of fully clearing his name. The court issued a new protection order, mandating no contact between Majors and Ms. Jabbari.
The future of Marvel’s projects, initially centred 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 highlights the gravity of personal conduct in the entertainment industry and its far-reaching consequences.
Kiki Garba
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