Over the past few years, I’ve been covering the ongoing woes of Marvel Studios. Once atop the world with its all-conquering franchise of interconnected comic-book movies, its Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled after Avengers: Endgame. It was obvious at least as early as 2021, when I wondered if Marvel had peaked. More troubles followed, from too much product to too little interest in (and troubles with) new cast and storylines. The commercial failure of last month’s The Marvels reinforced the studio’s challenges.
Yesterday brought more bad news for Marvel. Variety reports that the studio has parted ways with actor Jonathan Majors. Majors had just been convicted on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault against Grace Jabbari, his ex-girlfriend. The actor had portrayed Kang, set to be the major antagonist of what Marvel had called its “Multiverse Saga.” That is, he was supposed to be for this era of Marvel movies what Josh Brolin’s Thanos was to those from 2008–2019.
It’s not yet known what Marvel will do without Majors. But his departure presents yet another obstacle to the once-unstoppable brand.