Jonathan Majorsbecame best known for portraying Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his Emmy-nominated performance inLovecraft Countrybefore his blossoming career came to a halt after a 2023 conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment against his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari. Majors, who pleaded not guilty to all charges and was acquitted on other counts, now faces an uphill battle for a comeback. In a recent cover story forThe Hollywood Reporter, Majors and other industry insiders interviewed discuss that possibility. Majors has an upcoming project coming out later this month,Magazine Dreams, and its reception should indicate how feasible a comeback is for the actor.
Magazine Dreamscenters on an amateur bodybuilder (portrayed by Majors) who dreams of making it big in professional weightlifting competitions. Directed by Elijah Bynum, it premiered at Sundance 2023 to critical acclaim, with much praise for Majors' performance.The film was set for release but was later shelvedfollowing Majors' legal troubles. Last year, Briarcliff Entertainment picked up the movie, which will now premiere in 800 theaters on Friday, March 21. According to one unnamed casting director interviewed, this marks a career-making moment for Majors.
“If [Magazine Dreams] comes out and it’s a giant hit, then everybody reassesses. Maybe not at the studios, maybe not at public companies, but independent people. You look at a guy like Jonathan Majors, is he talented? Absolutely. But is there somebody else who can fill the bill? Probably. There are a lot of really talented people out there, and there are fewer and fewer projects, so, with the exception of a very small echelon, people are replaceable.”
The casting director also adds that as Majors is a Black man, he is held to a different standard than his white counterparts (THR makes note of domestic violence allegations against Mel Gibson, Christian Slater, and Josh Brolin):
“Like other marginalized people, you know you have to be in better behavior.”
Majors, however, feels that it does him no good to compare his treatment as opposed to that of white actors and filmmakers with similar histories:
“My journey is my journey, and it doesn’t benefit me to compare.”
Will Audiences Welcome Back Jonathan Majors?
In the feature, titled “Moment of Truth,” several actors voice their defense of Majors' comeback. Among them are Whoopi Goldberg, who worked with him in the 2017 miniseriesWhen We Rise, who feels that Majors “did what he was supposed to do,” Matthew McConaughey, who says Majors is someone “who is continuously striving to improve as a human, a man and an actor,” and Michael B. Jordan who would love to work with Majors again. On the opposing end, one of Majors' ex-girlfriends, Maura Hooper, questions whether the actor has changed, and says she doesn’t “see redemption happening here.”
While Majors may face a daunting task of attempting a return to Hollywood, it doesn’t seem impossible. Even as the allegations against him surfaced, there was a mixed reaction from audiences, which could play in his favor. According to Briarcliff CEO, Tom Ortenberg, “people are rooting for Jonathan.” So, does Majors (who is already having meetings for possible future projects) think a comeback is looming?
“Sometimes it feels like it’s not going to happen. And sometimes it feels like we start next week.”
Magazine Dreamswill finally premiere for general audiences on Friday, March 21.
