Jonathan Majors Secures First Role After Assault and Harassment Convictions

Jonathan Majors has secured his first film role since his 2023 conviction for domestic assault, which led to his dismissal from Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will star in the independent revenge thriller ‘Merciless,’ directed by Martin Villeneuve.

Martin Villeneuve, younger brother of ‘Dune’ filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, confirmed Majors' casting for the film, which follows a CIA investigator who takes extreme measures after his loved one falls victim to sinister forces. The movie, scripted by Frank Hannah, is scheduled to commence filming in Saskatchewan in late fall 2024.

Also Read: Luke James Declines Offer to Replace Jonathan Majors as Kang in The MCU

Majors received a sentence in April that includes a year of domestic violence counselling following his guilty verdict for assaulting and harassing his former girlfriend. The completion of a 52-week in-person program in Los Angeles adds uncertainty about his involvement in the ‘Merciless’ shooting schedule.

During his highly publicized trial, Majors consistently denied the assault allegations and expressed a desire to resume his Hollywood career. However, following the guilty verdict, Marvel Studios terminated their professional relationship with Majors, who portrayed the pivotal villain Kang the Conqueror in several Marvel Cinematic Universe productions, including the upcoming ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.’

Before his legal troubles, Majors' career was on an upward trajectory with roles in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ ‘Creed III,’ and the acclaimed series ‘Lovecraft Country.’ As a consequence of the legal proceedings, Majors was dropped by his management company, Entertainment 360, and his public relations firm, the Lede Company, although he remains represented by the talent agency WME.

‘Merciless’ is being developed at Sentient by producer Christopher Tuffin, known for backing the successful film ‘Sound of Freedom’ last year. Tuffin aims to launch a media initiative that champions artistic integrity despite public opinion and legal challenges.

“In graduate school, I had the good fortune to study screenwriting under Blacklist scribe Millard Lampell and learned from him the dangers of letting politics undermine due process and deprive artists of their careers,” Tuffin stated. “I consider it an honour and a privilege to be working with such a great talent now that this matter has been adjudicated.”

Tuffin will produce alongside Kevin Townsend and Kevin DeWalt, with Amanda Delaplaine, Chris Ochs, Andrew Bates, and Ben DeWalt serving as executive producers.

–Farheen Ali