Emmy-nominated actor Jonathan Majors, known for his role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, has been dropped by Marvel Studios after being convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari.
The jury in New York found Majors, 34, guilty of attacking and harassing Jabbari during a March altercation.
A Marvel spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the studio would no longer collaborate with the actor. Majors, who played a key role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the Disney+ series “Loki,” was expected to feature prominently in upcoming Marvel projects.
The conviction could lead to Majors facing up to a year in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 6.
This development marks a significant setback for the actor, whose career was on an upward trajectory with leading roles in high-profile Marvel productions.
Marvel had already postponed the release dates for films in which Majors was set to play a central role, including “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and its follow-up, “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
The studio is now considering the possibility of replacing Majors or reworking the films to exclude his character.
Magazine Dreams, an upcoming film starring Majors and considered a potential Oscar contender, also faced a delayed release following the actor’s arrest.
Additionally, the US Army dropped Majors from a major advertising campaign in light of the news.
The incident leading to Majors’ conviction occurred when Ms. Jabbari discovered a text message on Majors’ phone from another woman.
The ensuing altercation in a hire car resulted in Ms. Jabbari sustaining injuries, including a fractured finger, bruising, and a cut behind her ear.
While the jury convicted Majors of assault by recklessly causing physical injury and harassment, they did not find him guilty on charges of aggravated harassment and assault with intent to cause physical harm.
The prosecution portrayed the assault as part of a pattern of Majors attempting to control his girlfriend through physical and emotional violence.
Majors, who portrayed remorse in text messages and voice recordings presented during the trial, still maintains his innocence.
His lawyer released a statement expressing Majors’ belief in his innocence and his intention to clear his name fully.
As the actor awaits sentencing, the legal fallout from the conviction continues, impacting not only his career in the entertainment industry but also his personal life.
