Jonathan Majors ‘heartbroken’ by MCU pivot to Robert Downey Jr.

Marvel Studios has large plans (and a good greater star) for the latest section of its cinematic universe — and embattled actor Jonathan Majors has some ideas.

Majors, whose Kang the Conqueror was poised to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s subsequent large dangerous, after appearances in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Loki,” revealed in a latest interview that he’s dissatisfied in regards to the studio’s pivot away from his time-traveling villain. In December 2023, Marvel swiftly reduce ties with Majors after a New York jury convicted the “Lovecraft Nation” actor of assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari after a contentious two-week trial.

The actor’s December firing sparked public concern over how Marvel would proceed with its plans for Majors’ Kang and his position within the MCU, together with “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” which was slated to premiere in 2026. At San Diego’s Comedian-Con final week, Marvel unveiled its technique: Robert Downey Jr. will return to the franchise as Physician Doom to exchange Kang within the new “Avengers” movie, now dubbed “Avengers: Doomsday.” The movie remains to be set to premiere in 2026.

The RDJ reveal garnered blended reactions — together with confusion from his onscreen spouse, Gwyneth Paltrow (“I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?”) — however in a video interview printed Wednesday, Majors informed TMZ he’s “heartbroken” over the pivot.

“In fact. I like him, I like Kang,” he mentioned, earlier than including, “Physician Doom is depraved, although.”

TMZ additionally pressed Majors about his falling-out with Marvel, mentioning Hollywood’s therapy of Downey and in addition “The Flash” star Ezra Miller, who each have prison histories however went on to star in high-profile motion pictures. Oscar winner Downey served jail time within the late ’90s after he was arrested for drug possession, amongst different expenses, and went on to star in “Iron Man,” the “Avengers” movies and, most lately, “Oppenheimer.” Miller remained in Warner Bros.’ 2023 “The Flash,” regardless of a string of arrests and accusations of abuse leveled towards them lately.

“I feel it’s truthful that Mr. Downey is being and has been handled with endurance and curiosity and love and that … Miller’s gotten the identical therapy they usually’re being allowed to work their artwork and be artistic at that degree,” Majors mentioned. “I didn’t actually get that.”

Including to the Marvel sting, Majors’ then-upcoming drama “Journal Desires” was shelved within the months earlier than the actor’s home violence trial. He additionally parted methods from a starring position in a biopic about NBA star Dennis Rodman. However earlier this month, Deadline reported that the “Creed III” actor is about to star within the revenge thriller “Cruel,” and Majors revealed Wednesday that he’s open to revisiting the MCU.

“Hell yeah, I like [Kang]” Majors informed TMZ. “If that’s what the followers need, if that’s what Marvel needs, let’s roll. Hell yeah.”

Occasions employees author Tracy Brown contributed to this report.