Marvel drops actor Jonathan Majors after assault verdict

Marvel Studios has dropped actor Jonathan Majors from upcoming film projects after the Hollywood star was found guilty of misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment stemming from an altercation with his former partner, according to a report in Variety. 

The Hill has reached out to Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Company for comment and more information. 

The decision is a major blow to Disney’s plans for The Avengers, as Majors had been cast to portray the “big bad” in the next iteration of the movie series, which unites various Marvel heroes.

Majors had already played versions of Kang in the last Ant-Man movie and in the Disney+ streaming show Loki.

There had been plenty of speculation ahead of the verdict on what could happen to the popular movies if Majors was hit with a guilty verdict.

Majors is an acclaimed actor who has won plaudits for a number of roles, including the last Creed move, Lovecraft Counry and The Last Black Man in San Francisco.

The studio’s decision come hours after a New York jury found Majors guilty of assault in the third degree and harassment. Majors, 34, was acquitted of one count of assault in the third degree and one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree.

Majors denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to all charges.