Jonathan Majors has secured his first film role following his highly publicized trial and subsequent misdemeanor conviction. The actor is set to star in the supernatural revenge thriller “Merciless,” directed by Martin Villeneuve, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter.
The film, scheduled for a fall shoot, revolves around a CIA interrogator who must confront a malevolent force that has taken over the woman he loves. The screenplay is penned by Frank Hannah.
Christopher Tuffin, known for producing the box office hit “Sound of Freedom,” will produce the film. Kevin Townsend and Kevin DeWalt will also produce, with Amanda Delaplaine, Chris Ochs, Andrew Bates, and Ben DeWalt serving as executive producers.
Earlier this year, Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment. He was acquitted of two other counts of assault and aggravated harassment. The charges stemmed from a March 2023 incident involving his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari. Following the conviction, Majors lost his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he was set to lead “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.”
Martin Villeneuve, the brother of “Dune” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, is best known for his film “Mars and Avril” and the animated series “Red Ketchup.” He is represented by Gersh.
Majors, represented by WME, initially gained recognition in indie films like “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” before moving on to projects such as the Western “The Harder They Fall” and Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods.” Before his conviction, he was considered one of Hollywood’s rising stars, appearing in the latest “Creed” film and portraying Marvel villain Kang in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and the “Loki” TV series.
The news of Majors’ casting in “Merciless” was first reported by Deadline.
Jonathan Majors has landed his first film role since his 2023 conviction for domestic assault and subsequent firing from Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will star in the independent revenge thriller “Merciless,” directed by Martin Villeneuve.
Martin Villeneuve, the younger brother of “Dune” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, confirmed Majors’ casting to Variety. Written by Frank Hannah, the film follows a CIA investigator who goes to troubling lengths after the woman he loves is overpowered by sinister forces. Filming is expected to take place in Saskatchewan in late fall.
Majors was sentenced in April to one year of domestic violence counseling after being found guilty of assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend. According to the Manhattan judge who presided over the two-week trial, Majors must complete a 52-week in-person program in Los Angeles. It remains unclear how this will affect the shooting schedule for “Merciless.”
Throughout his publicized trial, Majors denied the assault allegations and expressed a desire to resume his Hollywood career. His star had been on the rise before his March 2023 arrest, having appeared in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Creed III,” as well as the Emmy-winning “Lovecraft Country.”
Shortly after the guilty verdict, Marvel Studios severed ties with Majors, who played the central villain, Kang the Conqueror, in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. The 34-year-old actor was expected to appear in upcoming installments in the comic book franchise, including 2026’s “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” As part of the fallout, Majors was dropped by his manager, Entertainment 360, and his publicity firm, the Lede Company. He remains represented by the talent agency WME.
“Merciless” is being developed at Sentient by producer Christopher Tuffin, who backed last year’s box office sleeper hit “Sound of Freedom.” He plans to start a new media venture that “refuses to let the court of public opinion and selective prosecution undermine great art and artists.”
“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 said in a statement. “I consider it an honor 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. Amanda Delaplaine, Chris Ochs, Andrew Bates, and Ben DeWalt will executive produce.
Deadline was the first to report on Majors’ casting.
Six months after being found guilty on two counts of assault and harassment against ex Grace Jabbari, Jonathan Majors is returning to acting.
Deadline reports Majors will be starring in “Merciless,” directed by Martin Villeneuve, the younger brother of “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve.
“Merciless” centers on a CIA interrogator who goes through extreme measures after the love of his life is overtaken by malicious forces.
Martin teased, “‘Merciless’ intertwines themes of possession, revenge, and personal justice within a haunting narrative. It explores the psychological descent of John, played by Majors, and the supernatural forces challenging his sanity.”
It will be Majors’ first role since his conviction.
Majors will begin shooting the film in the fall in Saskatchewan, Canada.
It is unclear if filming will be affected by Majors’ sentence.
In April, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Michael Gaffey sentenced Majors to probation, a 52-week in-person batterer’s intervention program, and continued mental health therapy.
Majors’ Hollywood star was on the rise before his arrest for assault.
The fallout was swift — he was dropped from ad campaigns and movies. His latest film “Magazine Dreams” was getting Oscar buzz but was shelved.
Marvel later dropped Majors following the guilty verdict.
