‘Heartbroken’ Jonathan Majors reacts to Robert Downey Jr. replacing him as Marvel villain
Jonathan Majors lost his Marvel villain role to Robert Downey Jr.
At San Diego Comic-Con last weekend, Downey Jr., 59, was announced as Doctor Doom, the main antagonist in the next two “Avengers” films (2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars”).
The actor previously played Tony Stark/Iron Man until the beloved hero was killed off in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
Doctor Doom is replacing Kang the Conqueror as the main villain in the film franchise.
Kang was played by Majors, who was dumped by the Disney-owned studio late last year after he was found guilty of assault and harassment but received no jail time.
Majors, 34, broke his silence on the casting news while chatting with TMZ on Tuesday.
He told the reporter he’s “heartbroken” over Downey Jr. replacing him.
“I love Kang,” Majors added.
He played the Marvel villain in the 2023 film “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and both seasons of “Loki.”
The reporter mentioned to Majors that Downey Jr. and “The Flash” star Ezra Miller both have dealt with legal issues, but they were still given the chance to star in major blockbuster superhero movies.
Downey Jr., who teased “new mask, same task” after the Doctor Doom news, spent a year in prison in 1999 after he failed to undergo court-ordered drug tests stemming from a 1996 cocaine possession charge.
Miller, 31, has been accused of grooming minors in an alleged cult-like situation and sought treatment for mental health issues.
Majors replied: “I think it’s fair that Mr. Downey has been greeted with patience and curiosity and love and that Mr. Miller has gotten the same treatment … and that they’re being allowed to work their art and be creative at that level.
“I didn’t really get that,” he added.
When asked if he wishes he got the same opportunity as Downey Jr. and Miller, Majors said, “That’s hard. I mean, come on. Yeah.”
The actor also confirmed he wants to play Kang again despite the legal issues that led to his firing.
“Hell yeah. I love ’em. That’s why I said I love ’em. I love him,” Majors said.
“If that’s what the fans want, if that’s what Marvel wants, let’s roll.”
Majors, who gained prominence with his starring role in “Lovecraft Country,” was cast as Marvel’s next big baddie back in 2020.
In addition to his appearances in “Ant-Man 3” and “Loki,” he was also signed to appear as the time-traveling supervillain in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” in 2026 and “Avengers: Secret Wars” in 2027.
However, that all changed after Majors was found guilty of assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, inside a hired car in New York City.
He was arrested on the charges in March 2023. After a two-week trial, Majors was convicted in December 2023.
In April, Majors was sentenced to a 52-week in-person domestic violence intervention program. He will go to jail for six months if he fails to complete the program.
Majors was dropped by Marvel, as well as his talent manager, Entertainment 360, and his publicity firm, the Lede Company. He also lost his role in the upcoming film “The Man in My Basement.”
During the trial, Jabbari testified that she lived in fear of Majors’ alleged violent outbursts during a traumatic two-year relationship that ended when he allegedly struck a “hard blow” across her head during the March 2023 altercation.
Majors, who was often supported by actress girlfriend Meagan Good in court, maintained his innocence and insisted that Jabbari was the aggressor during the incident.
He did his first post-verdict TV interview in January, wiping away tears while saying he was “absolutely shocked and afraid” at being found guilty.
“I say, ‘How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution’s evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?’” he said on “Good Morning America.”
Majors also said it felt “like the world stopped” when he was fired by Marvel.
“It’s like you work so hard for things, and then it’s done,” he said.
