Jonathan Majors, a talented actor whose star seemed destined to forever ascend, experienced a remarkable journey through the cinematic landscape, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His introduction into the MCU was nothing short of grand, as he portrayed the enigmatic character Kang the Conqueror, setting the stage for a narrative arc that promised to reshape the very fabric of the MCU. Yet, as Majors’ involvement in this sprawling superhero universe reached its zenith, his relationship with the MCU would prove to be a double-edged sword, playing a pivotal role in both his rise to prominence and his unexpected descent.
The revelation that “He Who Remains” was the primary antagonist of Loki‘s first season sparked immense excitement among MCU enthusiasts. Kang had never been perceived as a formidable adversary on the scale of Thanos, but fans were eager to witness the potential of this character’s narrative. As Sylvie ultimately dispatched him in the season’s climactic moments, his bone-chilling parting words, “See you soon,” ignited a glimmer of hope that this reimagined villain might present the comic universe with a threat as formidable as the Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Mad God himself — this time without Earth’s mightiest protectors, The Avengers, poised to intervene and save the day.
Add to this new hope the casting of Johnathan Majors, a versatile and charismatic actor, coupled with his ability to effortlessly inhabit complex characters, made him a compelling choice to take on the enigmatic multiverse-traveling villain. MCU fans were buzzing with anticipation, eager to see how Majors would bring this character to life and the impact he would have on the ever-expanding MCU storyline. The prospect of Majors joining the MCU’s roster of talented actors to potentially become a recurring and formidable presence within the franchise heightened the excitement to great levels, setting the stage for a new chapter in the MCU’s cinematic journey.
Abruptly, just as swiftly as it commenced, the allegations against Jonathan Majors emerged. In early 2023, he found himself facing domestic assault charges, a development that sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Mere days later, additional reports of abuse and assault surfaced, emanating from the New York District Attorney’s office. At the time of this article, these cases remain in the allegations phase and have yet to proceed to trial. Nonetheless, they have cast a shadow over Majors’ professional life, triggering a series of repercussions. The United States Army, which had featured Jonathan as a spokesperson in their commercials, promptly suspended the campaign, awaiting the outcome of the legal proceedings. Subsequently, Majors saw his management and PR firms sever ties with him, and his forthcoming roles were recast, marking a significant and tumultuous turn in his career.
This brings us to Loki Season 2, where Jonathan Majors continues to inhabit his role as a variant of Kang, now known as Victor Timely (as revealed in the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). In this highly anticipated new season, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) finds itself teetering on the edge of a cataclysmic event that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the Temporal Loom.
Season 2 promises an abundance of time-traveling adventures as Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Mobius (Owen Wilson) embark on a mission to thwart this impending disaster. Returning from the first season are familiar faces, including Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), Ravonna Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the enigmatic Miss Minutes (voiced by Tara Strong) and the steadfast Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku). Additionally, viewers can look forward to the introduction of new characters, Ouroboros (Ke Huy Quan), a TVA repair specialist, and Brad Wolfe (Rafel Casal), a former TVA hunter-turned-actor.
(L-R): Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Ke Huy Quan as O.B. and Owen Wilson as Mobius in Marvel Studios’ LOKI, Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL.
Numerous voices have called upon Disney to emulate the responses of other organizations by distancing themselves from Jonathan Majors until the legal issues are resolved. Interestingly, Loki Season 2 presents an opportunity for just that. Here’s how I envision it unfolding:
Victor, in his role, would devise a plan to rectify the aftermath of “He Who Remains'” demise. However, instead of resolving the issue, his efforts would inadvertently trigger a colossal event, potentially leading to a complete MCU reset. This reset could breathe new life into characters who have departed, such as Captain America, Black Widow and Iron Man, while allowing beloved figures like Loki, Thor, Hulk, Spider-Man and Falcon to remain untouched.
Furthermore, this reconfiguration could pave the way for the recasting of Kang, as he takes on a different multiversal form within this altered reality. Disney could leverage this opportunity to introduce iconic characters like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, particularly due to Kang’s connections with the Reed family. This unexpected narrative twist might reinvigorate fan interest, offering Disney a chance to counteract waning enthusiasm and mounting franchise fatigue. Once the legal matters are resolved, Majors could be reintroduced as a variant of Kang and reclaim his role in the MCU’s grand tapestry.
The unfolding of these events remains to be seen. Loki Season 2 has debuted on Disney+ with a planned six-episode arc. Let us anticipate that this series will contribute positively to the future of the MCU, rather than merely acting as a temporary remedy for underlying issues.