Source: John Nacion/Getty
On Monday (December 18), Jonathan Majors was found guilty of recklessly assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, and in turn, Marvel Studios wasted no time in parting ways with the actor.
According The Hollywood Reporter, Majors (who plays Kang The Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) was informed that his services would no longer be required at Marvel as they wanted no part of the backlash that would surely follow if they decided to keep him on board. Although the story of Majors Kang The Conqueror was to take place in the following years and the two upcoming Avengers films, rumors had begun to circulate that Marvel was ready to move in a completely different direction, regardless of what the verdict was in his court case.
The guilty verdict apparently made the decision much easier for Marvel.
Per The Hollywood Reporter:
Marvel has two lessons it could take now. He could recast the part, though it's unclear how many actors would be attracted to a role from which an actor was so publicly fired. The other course is to redevelop her plans and refocus on a brand new villain. While Marvel's sources are mum, there are indications that the studio has already done just that. In November, Marvel hired Loki creator Michael Waldron to work on a new draft of what was once called Kang Dynasty but is now being referred to as Avengers 5, according to sources.
The studio had months to plan for such an eventuality, and it's possible that Waldon was part of that course correction.
While Marvel could easily recast the role to another up-and-coming actor like John Boyega or Damson Idris, as many fans have speculated, what comic book fans are really hoping for is that Marvel finally clears the way for the long-awaited arrival of Dr. Fate.
Rumors that Dr. Doom's introduction to the MCU was boosted when rumors began that Marvel was abandoning Kang's story earlier this year. Now that Jonathan Majors has been given the pink slip, it paves the way for Marvel to reignite interest in the MCU and give fans what they've been asking for since the Avengers defeated Thanos in Game over.
Whether they will actually follow this route remains to be seen. But if Marvel's higher-ups want to regain the same level of popularity they experienced just a few years ago, the introduction of Dr. Doom as the next big villain would go a long way. I am just saying.'
What do you think about Jonathan Majors being shown the door? Should Marvel recast his role or move on to another villain moniker? Let us know in the comments section below. Check out the wide range of social media reactions to Majors getting an L in the gallery.
