Marvel Studios has announced the departure of Jonathan Majors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following his guilty verdict in his domestic violence trial. The Primetime Emmy-nominated actor, known for his portrayal of Kang the Conqueror, faced charges of reckless assault and harassment, leading to a swift decision by the studio.

Today (Dec 18) Majors was found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment following a two-week trial related to a domestic violence incident between the actor and his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari.

Majors, whose character He Who Remains was set to play a pivotal role in MCU’s Phases 5 and 6, received acclaim for his performances in Loki Season 1, Season 2, and the blockbuster Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, the actor’s legal troubles have led to Marvel’s decision not to move forward with him.

The MCU had ambitious plans for Kang the Conqueror, including a standalone movie titled “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” scheduled for May 1, 2026. The departure of both Majors and the recently exited director, Destin Daniel Cretton, has left the fate of the film uncertain.

Marvel Studios has a history of recasting roles, and while the studio has not confirmed whether Kang will be recast, it remains a possibility. The industry has seen similar instances before, such as Terrence Howard being replaced by Don Cheadle as Rhodey in the Iron Man franchise.

Before the legal issues surfaced, Majors was on a career high, with successful projects like Ant-Man 3, Creed III, and the critically acclaimed Magazine Dreams. However, following his arrest in March and subsequent legal proceedings, the actor faced professional setbacks, including being dropped by his manager and publicist.