What’s going on with Jonathan Majors legal issues? In early 2023, , between the debut of villain Kang the Conqueror in the MCU with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to his scene-stealing performance in Creed III, it was looking like it was going to be Majors’ year. However, within the span of 10 months, reports of assault allegations leading to the actor looking at criminal charges quickly has turned around Majors’ life in Hollywood since.
Jonathan Majors’ legal issues and allegations began last March, with a court case that recently has since reached a verdict. Majors is officially out as Kang the Conqueror in the MCU and no longer part of upcoming Marvel movies. Even though he lost out on what could have been his biggest role yet, he’s slowly starting to return to work. Check out the full timeline:
The Allegations Against Jonathan Majors
On March 25, 2023 it was reported that Jonathan Majors had been charged and arrested with “several counts of assault in the third degree, three counts of attempted assault in the third degree, one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree, and one count harassment in the second degree” by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Majors was accused of strangling a 30-year-old woman, allegedly his girlfriend, in a New York taxi after an argument between them got heated. She was taken to the hospital with “minor injuries to her head and neck,” per authorities.
After the initial report came out, Majors’ rep put out a statement that he’d “done nothing wrong” and his name would be cleared. Majors’ lawyer also said the actor was “completely innocent” and was “probably the victim.” His attorney has also claimed that there is video evidence, witness testimony from the taxi driver and others, along with text messages apparently from the victim to prove his innocence. However, on the other side of things two directors, A.B. Allen and Tim Nicolai spoke out about the actor being allegedly “vicious, cruel” and an “abuser.”
The U.S. Army Pauses Campaign Featuring Jonathan Majors
Shortly after the reports of this incident, the U.S. Army decided to pull an ad campaign that featured Jonathan Majors with the statement that the organization is “deeply concerned” about the allegations surrounding the Creed III actor. The “Be All You Can Be” recruitment campaign apparently cost the U.S. Army $117 million in total, making it a huge blow for them to stand behind pulling its plug.
Additionally, when Michael B. Jordan took to social media to promote Creed 3 becoming available to stream; he didn't include a single picture of Jonathan Majors, even though he’s his leading co-star. This goes to show huge collaborators are abandoning ties with the actor.
Majors Is Dropped By His PR, Managers And Was Uninvited To The Met Gala
Since the allegations, Jonathan Majors was also dropped by his PR firm, The Lede Company along with his talent manager Entertainment 360 additionally discarding the Marvel actor as well, per a Deadline report in April. The same report also detailed that Majors and fashion company Valentino also “mutually agreed” to not collaborate at the Met Gala, thereby uninviting him from the massive event.
More Women Come Forward With Abuse Allegations Against Majors
On April 19, Variety reported that multiple unnamed women had come forward with abuse allegations and are cooperating with Manhattan’s district attorney’s office regarding this. Majors’ lawyer has disputed this report, saying the “story is baseless and without foundation” along with showing confidence Jonathan Majors is innocent.
Jonathan Majors Is Cut From Another Ad Campaign And A Movie
Additionally, Majors was dropped from an ad campaign for the Texas Rangers major league baseball team and was removed from the cast of The Man in my Basement, also starring Willem Dafoe, per Deadline. An insider alleged that Hollywood has turned “cold” to Majors, as well.
While Majors’ acclaimed performance in Magazine Dreams was initially expected for December 2023 after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival early this year, its studio, Searchlight Pictures, has removed the title from its “Coming Soon” tab on its site.
Security Footage Of Majors’ Accuser Night On Incident Rolls Around
After Majors’ legal team showed alleged text messages from after the incident that claim that Majors’ accuser went out clubbing after their altercation. Then, a security video went viral of the woman out and about seemingly uninjured. The clip could aid Majors in his case.
Majors’ Alleged Victim Is Granted A Full Order Of Protection
In late April, Manhattan’s District Attorney’s office granted a full order of protection for the alleged victim of Jonathan Majors, who’s identity is being protected. The temporary order means that Majors has to keep his distance from her. Majors’ lawyer commented on the order by stating that her client “wants nothing to do with the woman who assaulted him.”
Majors’ Team Claims The Actor Was ‘Taunted’ By Police After Incident
At the beginning of May, Majors’ team then claimed that after the incident at the center of this whole thing, the Creed III actor showed injuries to a white police officer and he got in his face before saying that if he were to slap him “the officer wouldn’t break a finger.” The team also claimed that “none of the white officers present investigated the assault of Mr. Majors.”
Majors Appears In Court, And Trial Date Is Set
After Jonathan Majors received an initial May court date, the actor appeared on a TV screen, and per the Los Angeles Times, did not speak other than responding to the judge. He was then given another court date on June 13. Then, in late June Majors appeared in court for the first time in the flesh where he was given an official court date on August 3. Judge Rachel S. Pauley declared at the time that he must appear in court for the trial and if he doesn’t “a warrant can be issued for your arrest within 48 hours.”
Further Allegations Point To Abuse On Movie Sets
On June 29, Rolling Stone published a length exposé detailing more Jonathan Majors claims that suggested “extreme abuse” from the actor on the set of a number of his projects over the years have been going on for nearly a decade. One source accused the actor of being “physically intimidating” toward a crew member on the set of 2022’s Devotion, while another alleged Majors was “was completely disrespectful and kind of violent toward everybody” on the set of the yet-to-be-released bodybuilder drama, Magazine Dreams.
One of his lawyers, Dustin Pusch responded to the article by saying that Majors “vehemently denies Rolling Stone’s false allegations” before clarifying that he “employs an immersive Method acting style” that “can be misconstrued as rudeness at times,” but continued by saying “those who know Mr. Majors and work in the industry have attested to his dedication to his craft as well as his kindness”.
Majors’ Case Is Delayed… Again, Then Again, And Again
Following the judge’s ultimatum, Jonathan Majors did in fact show up on August 3 for his trial, however when he appeared in person at the New York Criminal Court, per The Hollywood Reporter, the prosecution shared that it was not ready for trial yet because the attorneys were still gathering additional information for it. Majors did not speak in court, but his reported girlfriend, Meagan Good accompanied him to the trial date. Following the new court date being set, Majors’ lawyer Priya Chaudhry reacted by touching on his career and “reputation” being “torn apart” before claiming Majors suffered “ alcohol-fueled abuse” at the hands of his ex, per the incident in question.
Majors appeared virtually for his September 6 court date before Judge Rachel S. Pauley in Manhattan Criminal Court before it was decided his next trial date would be on September 15. On that mid-September day, Majors once again appeared virtually before his next hearing date was moved to October 25.
Judge Denies Request For Case Dismissal And New Trial Date Is Set
When Majors showed up in court virtually once again for the October 25 date, the New York City judge denied the actor’s request for his case to be dismissed in court. Instead, a trial date was set for November 29. During the hearing, Majors’ defense team also asked that certain evidence containing “sensitive information” not be available for the public. The judge told Majors and his team they could file paperwork regarding this request by November 6, per People.
Majors’ Accuser Is Briefly Arrested And Charged
Jonathan Majors’ accuser Grace Jabbari was briefly arrested and charged by the New York Police Department on October 25 for misdemeanor and criminal mischief, per CBS. The next morning, it was announced that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office had declined to prosecute Jabbari and all charges were dropped less than a day after her arrest.
Magazine Dreams Is Removed From Searchlight’s Release Calendar
On the heels of an upcoming trial date for Jonathan Majors, Searchlight removed Jonathan Majors-led drama Magazine Dreams from its calendar completely. It was marked as “unset” on the studio’s release calendar amidst Majors’ pending court case. The studio is likely going to wait out the findings of the case before pushing the actor’s bodybuilding movie that had initially garnered praise from critics, including CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eisenberg when it premiered at Sundance ahead of the allegations. Almost a year later, it has yet to be released or receive a new date.
Rumor Has It Marvel May Pivot Kang Storyline
Ahead of Jonathan Majors’ impending trial date in November, Variety reported that Marvel executives are pondering moving Majors out of the main villain slot of its next phase of films leading up to the next Avengers movies. Apparently, the executives “discussed backup plans” such as swapping the big villain to be Dr. Doom instead. Majors’ latest work in the MCU has been showcased in recent weeks in Loki Season 2 as one Kang variant Victor Timely, but the question remains if Marvel is still building up Kang or will phase him out.
Amidst the season playing out, Loki producer Kevin Wright shared that he and the other filmmakers have not made alterations regarding Majors’ role in the Disney+ show thus far because it “felt hasty to do anything without knowing how all of this plays out.”
Another report from Variety that came out in November claiming that the WGA strike, which took place for 148 days from May to September, sunk Marvel into its Kang problem even further considering there was not a chance within that time for the studio's writers to rewrite the universe's storylines.
Majors' Legal Issues Extend To The U.K.
An early November 2023 report revealed that another investigation is underway in the U.K. involving Jonathan Majors related to allegations of "physical assaults" that took place in London in 2022. This update came just a week after a 115-page filing obtained by Variety suggested that prosecutors were attempting to get a copy of a London Metropolitan Police report that was issued in September 2022. At that time, Majors was filming the second season of Loki in the U.K., and Jabbari is a citizen of the U.K. as well.
Jonathan Majors' Trial Finally Begins In New York City
After a series of delays, Jonathan Majors' trial officially began on November 29, eight months after the alleged incident took place. Prosecutors Kelli Galloway and Michael Perez have shared (via CBS News) that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office plans to present 14 witnesses over six days. Majors' attorneys have asked for the courtroom to be closed (unlike the very high-profile and livestreamed trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard) along with the evidence remaining sealed.
While the case's Judge Michael Gaffey has agreed for the courtroom to be closed thus far, there is a potential for some evidence that is deemed admissible to become public as the case carries on. Jury selection began Thursday, November 30. Majors was present as the case began with fellow actor Meagan Good attending the trial at his side. The judge told Majors the trial was set to continue whether he decides to be present or not, and the Marvel actor is apparently not obligated to testify during the case.
After several hours of whittling the options down, six jurors were selected, along with two alternates on Thursday, November 30. The trial continued with jurors in place on Monday, December 4. It was reported at the time that Majors could reportedly face up to a year in prison if he is found guilty.
Grace Jabbari Testifies In Jonathan Majors’ Trial
During the trial itself, two major rulings were made ahead of deliberations: that the jury would learn about Grace Jabbari’s arrest and an evidence seal would be enforced. Additionally, Jabbari, the women who accused Majors of assault, was given the floor to testify where she claimed that he slapped her, threw her into a car, twisted her arm and grabbed her hand, injuring it. She was treated at the hospital for minor injuries for her head and neck, including a cut to her ear. She detailed the experience as a “full-bodied experience of shock.”
Jonathan Majors’ Assault Trial Reaches A Verdict
After a couple of weeks of the trial, the New York court reached a verdict on December 18. Jonathan Majors was found guilty of third-degree assault, as well as harassment. He was however not found guilty of one of the other accounts of assault in the third degree as well as aggravated assault. Majors is expected to be sentenced on February 6, 2024. Following the verdict, broke her silence by shouting out the organization Sanctuary for Families, a non-profit that aids victims of domestic violence, thanking them for their help and asking for others to donate.
As Majors awaits sentencing, an expert predicted that Majors will not get jail time since it's his first conviction. He suggested he will likely get three years probation, anger management and possibly community service. He also cited it would be “extremely rare” for a defendant with a case like Majors to get actual jail time. We’ll of course have to see once February 6 arrives.
Marvel Studios Drops Jonathan Majors Following Verdict
Shortly following the verdict being released, Marvel Studios decided to drop Jonathan Majors as an actor in its movies. Majors was expected to have a major part of the MCU moving forward following his roles in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki, building into the upcoming Avengers films, but now the studio might have to go back to the drawing board or recast the role. There’s a few options we’ve been talking out, such as Marvel killing off Kang and changing course or simply switching the actor behind it.
Jonathan Majors Is Officially Sentenced
In April, it was revealed that Jonathan Majors had been officially sentenced to "one year of domestic violence counseling". So, Majors avoided jail time after all. Ahead of the sentencing being revealed, Jabbari issued a statement to the court saying that she believes he will "hurt another woman" and believes "he's above the law."
Majors Lands First Role Since Guilty Verdict
Just two months after Majors’ sentencing, the actor was cast in a revenge thriller called Merciless with Denis Villeneuve’s younger brother Martin Villeneuve. The actor is set to shoot the movie this fall in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan.
Robert Downey Jr. Replaces Majors As Marvel’s New Big Bad During SDCC Reveal
Following Marvel Studios deciding to fire Jonathan Majors amidst his legal issues, we had curiosities about who would be recast as Kang. Some ideas ran the gamut from Colman Domingo, who was rumored to be the studio’s first choice to Star Wars actor John Boyega. (However, Boyega shared he was not interested in the fancasting).
Marvel President Kevin Feige finally showed his cards about the future of the next big Marvel villian during this summer’s San Diego Comic Con. It was unveiled that Robert Downey Jr. has been chosen to play the latest major villain in the MCU. He’ll be playing Doctor Doom in the next Avengers movies: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, coming out in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Doomsday is a new title from the former Kang Dynasty. The Russo Brothers are helming both movies after previously being behind the last two Avengers movies Infinity War and Endgame along with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. We certainly have questions and concerns about RDJ’s return to the MCU after he played Iron Man in the first few saga of the cinematic universe.
Jonathan Majors Responds To MCU Pivot
After the massive SDCC reveal, Jonathan Majors commented on Kang officially being written out of The Multiverse Saga by saying he was “heartbroken” and he loves Kang. However, he did also say “Doctor Doom is wicked.” Since, it has been rumored that the MCU will write off Kang by sharing that the TVA successfully got all the Kang variants before they could unite and start the multiversal war they were planning. Apparently, Kang was also allegedly originally part of the Deadpool And Wolverine storyline before his legal issues began.
Following the trial's verdict, Jonathan Majors' legal issues are most certainly going to have an effect on his chances of getting movie roles going forward, but how so? . We’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend.
