Topics: News, US News, Film and TV, Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr
Jonathan Majors has spoken out about the casting of Robert Downey Jr as Dr Doom in the upcoming Avengers films.
Majors, 34, had been set to play the next big villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the conclusion of the Thanos arc with Avengers: Endgame.
His character of Kang was introduced in the TV series Loki, and made a second appearance in 2023's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantummania.
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But in March 2023, Majors was arrested on charges of assault.
Marvel dropped him when he was later found guilty of 3rd degree reckless assault and harassment.
The upcoming Avengers movie scheduled for 2026 had originally been titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but at San Diego Comic Con it was confirmed that it has now been changed to Avengers: Doomsday.
Along with the title change has come a change in villain as well, with Robert Downey Jr confirmed to be playing Fantastic Four arch nemesis Dr Doom.
Speaking to reporters, Majors told TMZ he was 'heartbroken' over the decision.
Asked if he felt 'hurt' over Marvel's new arc after he was dropped, he said: "Yeah, heartbroken," before adding: "Come on, yeah, of course. I love him. I love Kang."
The reporter then asked Majors if he thought it was 'unfair' that he wasn't 'given the same opportunities' as actors such as Downey Jr and DC actor Ezra Miller, both of whom have had legal troubles of their own.
Majors replied: "I think it's fair that Mr. Downey has been greeted with patience and curiosity and love and that Mr. Miller has gotten the same treatment, and that they're being allowed to work their art.
"I didn't really get that, so, you know."
In 1996 Robert Downey Jr was arrested when officers found heroin, crack cocaine, and an unloaded .357 Magnum gun in his car.
Downey Jr, who struggled with addiction during the 1990s and early 2000s, went on to be sentenced to three years in prison after skipping probation, and served one year in jail before an early release.
After getting sober, Downey Jr was cast in Iron Man in 2008 and has remained sober since as his career has taken off.
In 2015 Downey Jr was pardoned by California governor Jerry Brown.
Ezra Miller has also had legal troubles, including being charged with felony burglary in 2022, with the actor ultimately being given a fine and probation.
Majors was found guilty of assaulting and harassing his ex girlfriend Grace Jabbari, who claimed that he attacked her in an SUV.
