Jonathan Majors to Andrew Garfield: Why these stars were FIRED from Marvel movies | The Times of India

Jonathan Majors’ conviction for assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, prompted Marvel Studios to drop him from his role as the supervillain Kang, in its upcoming superhero films. Majors’ is not the first MCU star to face the axe for his controversies. From director James Gunn to Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield, here’s a list of celebs who were fired from Marvel films for reasons ranging from legal battles to controversial social media comments. Take a look…

Jonathan Majors, on the cusp of Hollywood stardom, found his trajectory abruptly altered after his legal setback. Convicted on a misdemeanour assault charge and a harassment violation stemming from a March altercation with ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, Majors faced swift consequences of his actions. Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. swiftly axed the emerging star from their roster, derailing the franchise’s plans that prominently featured Majors as the central villain Kang the Conqueror. According to reports, the actor awaits his sentencing which could include jail time. Majors was also set to play a major role in shaping up the MCU’s Multiverse Saga that culminates with ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ that is slated for a 2026 release. This new development has cast a dark cloud over Marvel’s ambitious slate.

The case of James Gunn serves as a striking example of redemption in the Marvel universe. Removed as the director of the Guardians of the Galaxy series due to resurfaced social media posts addressing sensitive subjects like paedophilia and rape, Gunn was initially sacked from Disney with studio bosses issuing a statement calling his statements ‘indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values’. Gunn’s public apology and the lead cast threatening to quit the film, coupled with the DC Extended Universe’s move to make him the director of ‘Suicide Squad’, prompted MCU bosses to reconsider their decision. The reinstatement showcased Disney’s willingness to reconsider its decisions, emphasizing the complexity of navigating the modern landscape of social media and public scrutiny.

Andrew Garfield, who was once poised to don the Spider-Man suit again for The Amazing Spider-Man 3, found his fate altered by a last-minute event. A late arrival and sudden illness prompted him to drop out of a crucial announcement event, leading to his dismissal as the superhero and a surprise cancellation of the planned movie. Studio bosses were reportedly so upset with the actor that they even decided to reboot the superhero franchise with a new actor. Years down the line, after several rounds of negotiations with Marvel, Garfield returned as the web slinger in the billion-dollar film Spider-Man: No Way Home. His big-screen return promoted speculation of a possible casting in upcoming films of the Multiverse Saga.

Terrence Howard, originally cast as James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Iron Man, faced an unanticipated exit when salary negotiations went south. Howard, who portrayed War Machine, demanded a higher payment for Iron Man 2, leading to the studio to axe him from the franchise, even though he had originally signed a three-film deal to appear as the character. Don Cheadle stepped into the role, and is now touted to assume the role of the new Iron Man in upcoming MCU films.

Edward Norton’s portrayal of Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk initially seemed like a part of Marvel’s grand plan. However, creative differences surfaced, and Norton sought greater control over the film. This clash led to his departure, paving the way for Mark Ruffalo to step into the green giant’s shoes, altering the course of a superhero saga.