Jonathan Majors expressed his deep disappointment over the news that Robert Downey Jr. will replace his character, Kang the Conqueror, with Doctor Doom in the upcoming “Avengers” movies.
Majors, who was set to play a central role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), shared his feelings about this surprising development and his willingness to return to the MCU if given the chance.
How old is Jonathan Majors?
34
Jonathan Majors’ Reaction to the Replacement
Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang the Conqueror, was set to be the next big villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, akin to Thanos. However, in a recent interview with TMZ, Majors revealed his heartbreak over the news that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will take over as the main antagonist in the upcoming “Avengers” films. Majors expressed his feelings candidly, saying, “Yeah, heartbroken. Of course. I love Kang. Doctor Doom is wicked, though.”
Marvel’s Decision and Majors’ Legal Troubles
The decision to replace Kang with Doctor Doom came after Majors was dropped by Marvel in December, following his conviction on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault. This conviction and the subsequent fallout led to Marvel’s decision to reimagine the direction of the MCU’s villainous landscape. Majors’ Kang was originally intended to be a prominent figure in the now-scrapped “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” which has been replaced by the Downey-starring “Avengers: Doomsday.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s Comeback
Interestingly, TMZ pointed out that Robert Downey Jr. himself had a troubled past, yet he was given another chance to lead in Marvel movies. Downey’s legal issues in the 1990s included arrests for possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded firearm, followed by several other legal troubles. Despite these challenges, Marvel executives took a chance on him, casting him as Tony Stark in 2008’s “Iron Man,” which kickstarted the MCU.
Majors acknowledged this, saying, “I think it’s fair that Mr. Downey is being and has been greeted with patience and curiosity and love … and [he’s] being allowed to work [his] art and be creative at that level. I didn’t really get that.”
Majors’ Enthusiasm for Kang
Despite the setback, Majors expressed his unwavering enthusiasm for his character and the MCU. When asked if he would consider returning to the MCU as Kang, Majors responded with fervor, “Hell yeah! Hell yeah! I love him. I love Kang. If that’s what the fans want, and that’s what Marvel wants then let’s roll. Hell yeah.”
The Incident Leading to Majors’ Departure
Majors’ legal troubles began on March 25, 2023, when he was arrested for assault and harassment charges. His then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, accused him of assaulting her in the backseat of a private car after she took his phone to read a text message from another woman. Jabbari alleged that Majors forcefully retrieved his phone, causing her an “excruciating” injury to her right middle finger. She also claimed that Majors hit her on the back of her head and tried to force her back into the car, causing a cut behind her right ear.
In the trial, Majors was found not guilty of one count of intentional assault in the third degree and one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree. Despite this, the damage to his career was significant, leading to his dismissal by his talent manager, Entertainment 360, and his publicity firm, the Lede Company.
Downey’s Return Announced
Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU was officially announced at Comic-Con earlier this month. He will reprise his role as Doctor Doom in the 2026 film “Avengers: Doomsday” and the 2027 sequel, “Avengers: Secret Wars.” This marks a significant shift in the MCU’s storyline, with Downey taking on a villainous role that is sure to captivate audiences.
The replacement of Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom marks a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Majors is heartbroken over this decision, his love for the character and the franchise remains strong. As Marvel moves forward with its new direction, fans will be watching closely to see how these changes shape the future of the MCU. Majors’ willingness to return as Kang, if desired by Marvel and the fans, leaves the door open for potential future storylines and redemption arcs.
