One of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars, Jonathan Majors, who played the multiversal villain Kang the Conqueror, is no longer part of the franchise. This development comes after Majors was found guilty of assault and harassment charges, leading Marvel Studios to sever ties with the actor. The decision weighs heavily on the future of the MCU, as Majors’ character was poised to be the central antagonist in the upcoming Phase 5 and Phase 6 after being introduced in the first season of Loki, playing a crucial role in defining the trajectory of the franchise.
Audiences welcomed Majors’ entry into the MCU with open arms and his performance was met with critical acclaim, a combination of factors that only heightened expectations for his future appearances as the central villain in the planned Avengers movies, The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.
Majors’ portrayal of Kang was unique in its complexity, presenting a character that was both intimidating and nuanced, setting the stage for what was expected to be an epic showdown in the MCU.
However, Majors’ legal troubles have cast a shadow over his future in the MCU. His arrest in March for alleged domestic violence and subsequent trial, where he was found guilty of assault and harassment, led to his removal from several of his ongoing and upcoming projects. This includes not only his role in Marvel Studios but also other films like The Man in My Basement, an Otis Redding biopic, and an ad campaign for the Texas Rangers. The guilty verdict has had a domino effect on his career, as his talent management company and public relations firm also dropped him.
The decision by Marvel Studios to part ways with Majors aligns with the company’s history of recasting roles. Notable examples include the replacement of Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle as James Rhodes, also known as War Machine, Mark Ruffalo taking over from Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, and Harrison Ford playing General Thaddeus Ross after William Hurt’s passing. This precedent suggests that Marvel Studios is prepared to adapt and reconfigure its plans in response to unforeseen circumstances, maintaining the integrity and continuity of the MCU.
Of course, there’s a difference between recasting a role due to ego clashes, pay disparity issues, and untimely passings with legal troubles. In a way, this is uncharted territory for the MCU. Recasting the role might not be enough. Audiences might still associate Kang the Conqueror’s character in the MCU with Majors, especially following his performance. This may come with the kind of negative press that Disney would prefer not to deal with.
Hence, the question, is the MCU still going forward with Kang or will they be replacing him entirely?
The ending to Loki Season 2 certainly seems to suggest that the MCU has written itself out of the Kang storyline by effectively rewriting history. With Deadpool 3 expected to revisit the multiverse concept in a big way, it could introduce another villain in the mix, one with as much gravitas and history with comic book fans as Kang, namely, Doctor Doom.
While this would require a significant reimagining of the planned Kang Dynasty storyline, it would still be better than flirting with disaster by not dropping the character completely.
Fans and industry observers are closely watching how Marvel Studios will address this challenge. The studio’s response will not only impact the immediate future of the MCU but also set a precedent for how it handles similar situations in the future. The MCU is known for its intricate storytelling and character development, making the replacement and/or the removal of a character like Kang a complex task. It requires a delicate balance between maintaining narrative continuity and respecting the real-life issues that led to the recasting.
In the meantime, the MCU continues to expand and evolve, with upcoming projects such as Deadpool 3 and Captain America: Brave New World set for release in the coming years. But, if you prefer to get your MCU fix at home, Disney will roll out a new episode of the next season of What If…? everyday starting on December 22.
