Marvel Studios may have a contingency plan to replace Jonathan Majors as Kang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, according to a new rumor.
As reported by The Direct, industry insider Jeff Sneider spoke on The Hot Mic podcast to discuss the Majors situation following the actor's arrest for alleged assault. The pundit claimed that Marvel Studios is eying a replacement akin to actors such as Damson Idris from the FX crime drama Snowfall, suggesting Idris' casting opposite Brad Pitt in Apple's untitled Formula One movie placed him on Marvel Studios' radar. "Even though there hasn't been any movement on the Jonathan Majors front, I've heard that's the kind of actor, who, like, if Jonathan Majors got the boot as Kang, someone like Damson Idris is the type of the person that [Marvel] may look at to replace him if that, in fact, happens," Sneider said.
Allegations Surrounding Jonathan Majors
On March 26, Majors was arrested in New York City for alleged domestic abuse against an unnamed 30-year-old woman. The actor claimed innocence through his reps and his attorney claims the accuser recanted her initial statement. While nothing has been officially announced, Sneider previously claimed Marvel Studios has discussed the issue with Majors' team. Sneider stated, "They've met with or spoken to his agent to discuss potential options going forward."
The backlash against Majors was swift as the U.S. Army pulled the actor's "Be All You Can Be" campaign and multiple filmmakers spoke out about his alleged "sociopathic" behavior in the past. Additionally, a social media ad promoting Quantumania's home video release does not feature Majors' Kang and puts the title heroes played by Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly at the forefront.
Majors' Kang was set up to be the big bad of the MCU's "Multiverse Saga" since his first appearance as "He Who Remains" in the season finale of Loki Season 1 on Disney+. After signing on to multiple MCU projects, Majors had a front-and-center presence when Kang appeared as the central antagonist in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which underperformed at the box office despite solid reviews for his performance. Kang's storyline will continue to be vital to the MCU when he appears next in Loki Season 2 and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be available on Blu-ray on May 16
Source: The Hot Mic, via The Direct