Jonathan Majors’ potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ignited a media battle between traditional “access” outlets and the rising influence of “new media” online scoopers.
The controversy over whether Marvel is reconsidering the disgraced actor as Kang the Conqueror has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between legacy entertainment press and the digital leakers who often beat them to the punch.
The Fallout from Majors’ Conviction
Majors, once positioned as the next major villain in the MCU, was convicted in 2023 on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault while being acquitted of two other charges. Instead of jail time, he was sentenced to one year of domestic violence counseling, which he has now completed. His accuser, Grace Jabbari, later dropped her federal lawsuit against him.
(L-R): Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL
Marvel wasted no time moving on. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was scrapped, and Robert Downey Jr. was announced to return as Doctor Doom for the newly renamed Avengers: Doomsday. But with Kang still lingering as a loose thread in the MCU’s overarching storyline, the question remains whether the character will be addressed—or ignored entirely.
Leakers vs. Legacy Media
The latest wave of speculation began with Screen Geek, an independent entertainment site, reporting that Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige was considering bringing Majors back—not in a full capacity, but to wrap up Kang’s storyline. Importantly, this was never framed as a confirmed deal or ongoing talks, just an internal discussion about potential options.
Then, access media gossip outlet TMZ entered the fray, running a piece that claimed Majors had “not engaged in any talks” with Marvel and claiming the rumor was false. While this might seem like a direct contradiction, it actually wasn’t—Screen Geek only reported that Marvel was weighing the decision, not that conversations had taken place.
Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL
That’s when leaker MyTimeToShineHello called out TMZ, accusing them of publishing “clickbait” by misleading readers into thinking they had fully debunked the rumor. This response highlights a growing divide. Old-school access media like TMZ rely on studio-approved sources, while social media influencers and independent leakers have built reputations by breaking major entertainment scoops before the mainstream press catches on.
Adding fuel to the fire, MTTSH seemed to suggest there could be something to the Screen Geek report, while The Cosmic Circus’ Alex Perez threw cold water on the idea, arguing that Marvel had already moved on from Kang entirely.
The result? A confusing mess of contradictory reports, with audiences left to decide whom to believe.
Would Marvel or Disney Take a Risk on Jonathan Majors?
Despite all the noise, the likelihood of Jonathan Majors returning to the MCU remains slim. Marvel pivoted hard away from Kang, and with Disney increasingly risk-averse, there’s little incentive to reintroduce an actor whose legal troubles made national headlines. Even a minor return to “wrap things up” would carry controversy, and Disney is no stranger to cutting ties with stars they perceive as “problematic.”
On a narrative level, the MCU has already shifted focus to Doctor Doom, making a Kang resolution unnecessary. While the studio could acknowledge the character in some way, the odds of Majors being involved seem minimal at best.
Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 MARVEL.
This situation isn’t just about whether Jonathan Majors will return to the MCU—it’s about who controls the narrative. On one side, legacy media outlets like TMZ claim authority through official studio sources. On the other, independent leakers and influencers like MTTSH and Screen Geek argue that they’re ahead of the curve, challenging the old gatekeepers of entertainment news with insider knowledge.
For now, Marvel fans are caught in the crossfire, left to decipher a battle where the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Until Marvel Studios itself confirms or denies the rumor outright, this remains yet another example of the growing media divide in Hollywood coverage.
He has black privilege but not female privilege. I predict that black privilege will be stronger.