Jonathan Majors has made a significant return to filming following his controversial exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This development comes amid ongoing changes in the MCU’s direction, particularly after the legal issues that affected Majors’s role as Kang the Conqueror. As Marvel enters Phase Six and reshapes its Multiverse Saga, Majors’s return to work signals renewed possibilities both for his career and for the franchise’s approach to its characters.
Marvel’s Evolving Multiverse Saga and the Shift from Kang to Doctor Doom
The MCU is undergoing a major transition in storylines as Phase Six begins after the introduction of the Fantastic Four. Marvel Studios has revealed new plans that pivot away from Kang the Conqueror, a villain once central to the franchise’s Multiverse Saga. This change was accelerated by Jonathan Majors’s departure from the franchise following criminal charges filed by his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari. When Majors left, Marvel had to adjust its long-term strategy during a pivotal moment for the series.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 that directors Anthony and Joe Russo will oversee the next two Avengers films, titled Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Alongside this announcement, it was revealed that the previously planned Kang Dynasty arc has been dropped in favor of Doctor Doom becoming the primary antagonist. Actor Robert Downey Jr., known for his role as Tony Stark, will portray Victor Von Doom, marking a dramatic narrative shift and one of Marvel’s most unexpected casting moves.
Feige has clarified that discussions around placing Doctor Doom at the forefront had begun before Majors’s legal troubles surfaced. He said,
“We had started even before what had happened to the actor happened, we had started to realize that Kang wasn’t big enough, wasn’t Thanos, and that there was only one character that could be that, because he was that in the comics for decades and decades,”
Kevin Feige stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“Because of the Fox acquisition, we finally had it, and it was Dr. Doom. So we had started talking about Dr. Doom even before we officially pivoted from Kang,”
Feige added.
“And in fact, I had started talking with Robert [Downey Jr.] about this audacious idea before Ant-Man 3 even came out. It was a long plan that we had, to take one of our greatest characters and utilize one of our greatest actors.”
Jonathan Majors’s Departure and the Legal Controversy
Jonathan Majors originally portrayed Kang the Conqueror in multiple MCU projects, including the recent entry Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and appeared as a variant named Victor Timely in Loki Season 2. His character was expected to become the franchise’s major villain following Avengers: Endgame. However, the trajectory changed abruptly when Majors faced assault and battery charges filed by Grace Jabbari, his former partner, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation in addition to physical altercations. These charges led to his removal from upcoming Marvel projects, forcing the studio to sideline Kang’s storyline indefinitely.
The fallout from the case spurred widespread debate about the future of Marvel’s villains and the potential effects of off-screen controversies on blockbuster storytelling. While Kang’s fate remains unresolved in the MCU’s continuity, his absence opened the door for Doctor Doom’s rise as a new central figure. Fans continue to speculate whether Majors’s Kang has been permanently written out or if the franchise might eventually reintroduce him, given the narrative flexibility enabled by the MCU’s multiverse concept.
Majors’s Recent Statements and Ambiguous MCU Prospects
Since stepping away from the MCU, Jonathan Majors has cautiously addressed questions about his possible return. In a September 2025 interview with The Sun U.S., he avoided a direct answer but hinted at opportunities given the franchise’s multiverse structure.
“I cannot say anything about that,”
Majors said when asked about rejoining Marvel.
“Well, it’s a Multiverse, so there’s always that. Always a lot of opportunity for that.”
Majors’s comment, though brief, has kept hopes alive among fans, especially since the Multiverse paradigm allows multiple versions of characters to exist simultaneously. Earlier in 2025, he expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Marvel again, describing the experience as positive:
“Yeah, of course I say yes. Disney, Marvel Studios, I love them. Tom Hiddleston; loved working with that guy. Loved working with Paul Rudd. Loved working with Gugu Mbatha-Raw,”
Majors stated.
Jonathan Majors Resumes Filming Projects Beyond Marvel
In a promising sign of career recovery, Jonathan Majors has recently resumed work in the film industry. He began shooting an untitled action movie this week in South Carolina, marking his first project since his 2023 conviction and subsequent hiatus. The film is produced by The Daily Wire, a media company co-founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing, alongside Dallas Sonnier’s Bonfire Legend production company. Kyle Rankin, known for directing Run Hide Fight (2020), is at the helm of this new project.
The Daily Wire is recognized for providing opportunities to actors who have faced setbacks in mainstream Hollywood, following a pattern established with talents like Gina Carano after her departure from The Mandalorian. Details about this upcoming action film remain confidential, but it is described as inspired by the style of ’80s and ’90s action movies, suggesting a blend of classic adrenaline with modern filmmaking.
Implications for the MCU and Kang’s Uncertain Role
As Marvel shifts its narrative focus toward Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four, the character of Kang stands at a crossroads. While the studio appears committed to emphasizing Doom as the saga’s new primary antagonist, the multiverse framework inherently allows for Kang’s storyline to be continued or revisited in alternative ways. This flexibility keeps the door open for potential future appearances by Majors or different versions of Kang that align with new MCU story arcs.
Marvel’s decisions come amid broader challenges for the franchise, which has seen some recent films fall short of expectations, stirring conversations about creative direction and audience fatigue. Introducing Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom not only elevates the stakes but also signifies Marvel’s intent to reinvent its villain dynamics with one of its most iconic characters, potentially reinvigorating fan interest for the upcoming Avengers installments.
Jonathan Majors’s return to filming is a notable development that underscores the complex interplay between star power, legal troubles, and studio strategies within Hollywood blockbusters. As Marvel Studios moves forward, the evolving saga will be closely watched by fans eager to see how these narrative shifts unfold on the big screen.
