In March 2023, Jonathan Majors was arguably the most important actor in Hollywood. Marvel had built their entire Phase 5 and 6 strategy around him. He was Kang the Conqueror—the next Thanos. His face was on billboards worldwide.
Eight months later, he was convicted of assault and harassment. Marvel fired him. His agency dropped him. His publicist quit. His career, as it existed, was over.
The fall of Jonathan Majors is a story about talent, ego, warning signs ignored, and an industry that elevates people until it destroys them.
The Meteoric Rise (2019-2023)
Jonathan Majors seemed destined for greatness:
- The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019): Breakthrough performance
- Lovecraft Country (2020): Emmy-nominated lead
- Da 5 Bloods (2020): Scene-stealing Spike Lee role
- Loki (2021): Introduced as "He Who Remains"/Kang
- Creed III (2023): Villain role opposite Michael B. Jordan
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023): Main antagonist
He was everywhere. He was winning. Critics called him a generational talent. Marvel bet billions on him.
The Marvel Bet
Marvel's plan was massive. After Thanos, they needed a new Big Bad. Jonathan Majors was it.
Kang was set to appear in:
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Multiple Disney+ series
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (2026)
The character was supposed to span dozens of films and shows. Majors had a contract potentially worth $100 million+.
Then came March 25, 2023.
The Arrest
Jonathan Majors was arrested in Manhattan following a dispute with his girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The initial charges:
- Strangulation
- Assault
- Harassment
Majors' team immediately went on offense, claiming Jabbari was the aggressor and that he had evidence proving his innocence.
The case would take eight months to resolve. Those eight months destroyed him.
The Pattern That Emerged
After the arrest, more allegations surfaced:
- Two other ex-girlfriends came forward with abuse claims
- Majors' previous relationships were scrutinized
- A pattern of controlling and violent behavior was alleged
- Text messages showed disturbing communication styles
His lawyer called it a "campaign." But the volume of consistent accusations was hard to dismiss.
The Trial
In December 2023, Jonathan Majors went on trial. The prosecution presented:
- Photos of Jabbari's injuries
- Medical records
- Testimony from witnesses
- Text messages showing his behavior
The defense argued:
- Jabbari was the initial aggressor
- Majors was defending himself
- The injuries were self-inflicted or accidental
- She was trying to destroy his career
The jury found him guilty of reckless assault and harassment. He was acquitted of the more serious charges.
But guilty was guilty. And that was enough.
The Immediate Fallout
Within days of the verdict:
- Marvel fired him: Kang was done
- His agency dropped him: WME was out
- His publicist quit: No one to manage the crisis
- His manager left: The team dissolved
- His lawyer shifted tone: From aggressive to damage control
Brand deals evaporated. Projects in development collapsed. He went from $100 million in future earnings to essentially unemployable.
The Meagan Good Factor
Throughout the trial, Majors dated actress Meagan Good. She stood by him—attending every court date, holding his hand, supporting him publicly.
Her support was controversial:
- Fans begged her to leave
- Her career took reputational damage
- She defended him in interviews
They remain together as of 2024. Whether that support helped or hurt public perception is debated.
Marvel's Kang Problem
Marvel now has a massive creative problem:
- Phase 5 was built around Kang
- The Kang Dynasty needs a new direction
- Billions in planning must be scrapped
- Fan expectations need to be reset
Reports suggest:
- Kang may be replaced entirely
- Avengers 5 may be retitled
- Doctor Doom (Fantastic Four villain) may become the new Big Bad
- The multiverse saga story is being rewritten
It's one of the biggest narrative pivots in MCU history—all because of one actor's behavior.
The Defense That Didn't Work
Majors tried several tactics that backfired:
Aggressive Denial His team attacked Jabbari's credibility hard. It felt like victim-blaming and turned public opinion.
Media Blitz He did interviews claiming innocence. They came across as arrogant and performative.
Physical Transformation He gained muscle mass during the trial—possibly for roles, but it looked like intimidation.
Deflection He talked about his childhood trauma. It felt like excuse-making.
The lesson: when accused of abuse, humility works better than aggression.
The Sentencing
In April 2024, Jonathan Majors was sentenced to:
- 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling
- No jail time
- A protective order
The sentence was light—but the career consequences were life-altering.
Could He Come Back?
Some wonder if Majors can return to Hollywood:
Arguments for:
- Robert Downey Jr. came back from worse
- Mel Gibson still works
- His talent is undeniable
- Time heals
Arguments against:
- The abuse was recent and proven
- The industry is less forgiving now
- His aggressive defense made enemies
- Marvel won't touch him
Most likely scenario: small indie films in 3-5 years, if at all. The blockbuster career is gone forever.
The Bigger Questions
The Majors case raises uncomfortable issues:
Why Didn't Anyone Intervene Earlier? The pattern was apparently known in Hollywood. Why did Marvel cast him anyway?
How Much Talent Excuses? He was genuinely brilliant. Does that matter when evaluating behavior?
Is Redemption Possible? Can someone who's abused partners ever be trusted in power again?
What About the Victim? Grace Jabbari's career and life were also affected. She's often forgotten in the "Majors" story.
The Lesson
Jonathan Majors had everything: talent, opportunity, the biggest role in the biggest franchise. He threw it away.
His story isn't about one bad night. The pattern suggests ongoing behavior that finally caught up with him.
He may have been a great actor. He may have been genuinely talented. But talent doesn't excuse abuse. And Hollywood—finally—is starting to agree.
Kang the Conqueror was supposed to rule the MCU. Instead, Jonathan Majors lost his kingdom.
And unlike his character, he won't get a variant to replace him.
