The Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced significant disruptions related to its long-term plans for Phases 4, 5, and 6, stemming in part from Jonathan Majors Marvel firing following his legal troubles. Majors portrayed Kang the Conqueror, the central villain introduced as the next major threat to the Avengers in the Multiverse Saga. His removal left Marvel Studios reconsidering its direction for the franchise as the saga unfolded.
Jeremy Renner Reacts to Majors’ Legal Issues and Dismissal
Jeremy Renner, who plays Hawkeye in the MCU, publicly addressed Majors’ firing during an interview on Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM. Renner admitted uncertainty around the situation, saying,
“I don’t know. I don’t know what the difference is between gossip and anything else.”
He added that his knowledge was limited:
“I don’t know enough about Jonathan and his situation to know.”
Despite this, Renner acknowledged the impact of the actor’s departure, stating,
“I know they had big plans for that character, that’s for sure. Whatever transpired…that sucks, I think.”
He emphasized that
“the due diligence really has to be played out.”
Changes to Upcoming MCU Releases at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Jonathan Majors made his last MCU appearance in 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where multiple Kang variants were featured in a post-credits scene. Initially expected to headline Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, his firing prompted Marvel Studios to remove Kang from the Multiverse Saga entirely. At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel revealed its new trajectory by announcing Robert Downey Jr.’s return, this time as Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom.
Downey Jr. will star in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, both directed by the Russo brothers. Notably, production on Avengers: Doomsday completed principal photography on September 19, 2025. However, details about the start of filming for Avengers: Secret Wars—the saga’s finale set to release on December 18, 2027—remain undisclosed.
Continuing the MCU: Future Projects and Cast Updates
Despite the shifts in Phase 6, Jeremy Renner has confirmed he will not appear in any forthcoming Avengers films. The MCU’s Phase 6 will commence in January 2026 with the Disney+ debut of the Wonder Man television series, signaling a continued expansion of Marvel’s cinematic and streaming universe amid ongoing changes.
