*In a recent interview, actor Jonathan Majors expressed his deep disappointment over the shocking news that Robert Downey Jr. will be stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the new central villain. Downey’s iconic character, Doctor Doom, is set to replace Majors’ Kang the Conquerer as the primary antagonist in the upcoming Avengers films.
Majors, who was dismissed by Marvel in December following his guilty verdict on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault, shared his thoughts on the abrupt change in direction for the franchise. His character, Kang, had been positioned as the next major threat similar to Thanos and was expected to play a pivotal role in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” However, this project has since been scrapped in favor of a new storyline featuring Downey in “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“Yeah, heartbroken. Of course,” Majors responded when asked by TMZ if he was hurt by the news. “I love Kang. Doctor Doom is wicked, though.”
Many fans and commentators have noted the irony that Downey, who has had a tumultuous past with legal troubles, is now being allowed to lead Marvel’s next phase. Downey faced significant legal issues in the late 90s, including a highly publicized arrest in 1996 for possession of heroin and cocaine, and was initially a risky choice for the role of Tony Stark in the 2008 hit “Iron Man.”
Reflecting on Downey’s resurgence, Majors remarked, “I think it’s fair that Mr. Downey is being and has been greeted with patience and curiosity and love … and [he’s] being allowed to work [his] art and be creative at that level. I didn’t really get that.”
Despite his setback, Majors is hopeful about a potential return to the MCU. When asked if he would reprise his role as Kang, he enthusiastically answered, “Hell yeah! Hell yeah! I love him. I love Kang. If that’s what the fans want, and that’s what Marvel wants then let’s roll. Hell yeah.”
Majors faced significant legal challenges of his own. He was arrested on March 25, 2023, following accusations of assault and harassment by his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Jabbari alleged that Majors assaulted her in the backseat of a car after she tried to read a text message from another woman on his phone. The altercation allegedly resulted in an injury to Jabbari’s finger and a cut behind her ear.
At his trial, Majors was found not guilty of one count of intentional assault in the third degree and one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree. However, the fallout from his legal issues was swift, as he was dropped by his talent manager, Entertainment 360, and his publicity firm, The Lede Company.
The announcement of Downey’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom was made at Comic-Con earlier this month. Downey will star in “Avengers: Doomsday” slated for release in 2026, followed by “Avengers: Secret Wars” in 2027, marking his significant return to the superhero franchise.
While the MCU continues to evolve and adapt, fans remain divided over the changes. However, one thing is clear: the legacy of Robert Downey Jr. and the character of Doctor Doom will continue to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide, while Jonathan Majors’ journey in Hollywood remains uncertain but hopeful for a second chance.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: United Airlines Apologizes to NFL Star Terrell Davis for ‘No-Fly’ Letter After Plane Incident
