Jonathan Majors Reportedly “Heartbroken” Over Robert Downey Jr.’s Villain Casting In New ‘Avengers’ Film

At San Diego Comic-Con, RDJ announced his return to the MCU as Victor Von Doom.

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney; Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Just days after Robert Downey Jr. was unveiled as villain Dr. Victor Von Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, Jonathan Majors revealed his reaction about the surprise news to TMZ.

“Heartbroken, of course,” Majors confessed after being asked him if he was hurt over Marvel’s “new direction.” He expressed, “I love Kang, but Dr. Doom is wicked, though.”

Instead of replacing Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Avengers: Kang Dynasty — a character that was first introduced in 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — Marvel opted to scrap the film altogether.

When later asked about Downey’s legal troubles as well as Ezra Miller in comparison to his and the subsequent fallout, Majors’s facial expression alluded to the response difference being a race issue, but stated, “Damn, I think it’s fair that Mr. Downey is being and 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 and be creative at that level. You know? I didn’t really get that.”

Majors was arrested in March 2023 on assault and harassment charges from his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The Creed III star was hit with more accusations and was ultimately found guilty on two misdemeanor counts. He was sentenced to probation and required to participate in a one-year domestic violence treatment program.

Coincidentally, the month prior, he spoke on his desire for a Kang/Iron Man crossover. Downey famously played the superhero was sacrificed himself in Avengers: Endgame.

Majors told Lifehacker, “He’s one of the originals. I’m just such a huge fan of him as an actor. I think what he did with Iron Man was such a gift to the culture at large. I would love to be across from him on screen to see how our philosophies, acting-wise and character-wise, just personally, match up. I find him to be such a fascinating artist, which is why Iron Man is so fascinating.”

He gushed, “His portrayal of Iron Man is so fascinating, and he represents a very clear worldview and energy of the Avengers. And I think Kang represents a different era. It’d be really interesting to see those two come together and have a bit of conversation.”

The fallen actor admittedly would love to return to the MCU, if the opportunity presented itself.

“Hell yeah! Hell yeah! Hell yeah! I love him. I love Kang,” Majors declared when asked. “If that’s what the fans want, if that’s what Marvel wants, then let’s roll. Hell yeah.”

As of June 2024, his next role will be in the upcoming sci-fi revenge thriller, Merciless, but there are currently no plans for him to reunite with Marvel.

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