Current:Home > ContactJonathan Majors dropped by Marvel Studios after being found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend -Elevate Profit Vision
Jonathan Majors dropped by Marvel Studios after being found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend
View
Date:2025-04-26 08:26:42
A six-person jury convicted Jonathan Majors of assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari on Monday, concluding a two-week trial that the actor hoped would salvage his damaged reputation and restore his status as an emerging Hollywood star.
A Manhattan jury found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. The "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" star was also acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors, who was asked to stand and face the jurors as the verdict was read, showed no immediate reaction, looking slightly downward.
Majors' sentencing was set for Feb. 6. He faces the possibility of up to a year in jail for the assault conviction, though probation or other non-jail sentences also are possible.
Majors faced eight misdemeanor counts involving assault, aggravated harassment and harassment after his arrest in March over a confrontation with Jabbari, a British dancer and movement coach, during a car ride in Manhattan. She said he struck her in the head with his open hand, twisted her arm behind her back and squeezed her middle finger until it fractured.
Majors pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Marvel and Disney cut ties with Jonathan Majors
Shortly after the verdict, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to USA TODAY that Marvel Studios has dropped Majors from all upcoming projects following the conviction.
Majors had earlier planned to be a central figure throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the antagonist role of Kang. Majors had already appeared in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and the first two seasons of "Loki."
He was to star in "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," dated for release in May 2026.
More:Jonathan Majors' text messages, audio recordings to ex-girlfriend unsealed in assault trial
Grace Jabbari's lawyer says 'justice has been served'
In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Jabbari's attorney Brittany Henderson said Jabbari hopes "her actions will inspire other survivors to speak out and seek justice."
"Justice has been served by today’s verdict," Henderson said. "We are thankful to the jury, the court and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for giving this case the time and attention that it merits. Today has shown us that no abuser, no matter how powerful they may seem, is above the law."
Jonathan Majors' attorney says actor 'looks forward to fully clearing his name'
Majors' attorney Priya Chaudhry said Majors "still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name."
"It is clear that the jury did not believe Grace Jabbari’s story of what happened in the SUV because they found that Mr. Majors did not intentionally cause any injuries to her. We are grateful for that," Chaudhry said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We are disappointed, however, that despite not believing Ms. Jabbari, the jury nevertheless found that Mr. Majors was somehow reckless while she was attacking him."
More:Jonathan Majors' arrest is a developing story. People are jumping to conclusions anyway.
Jonathan Majors text messages to Grace Jabbari, voice recordings released
The verdict comes after New York Criminal Court Judge Michael Gaffey allowed more evidence to be publicly released in the case about an allegedly violent confrontation in the backseat of the car between the Marvel star, 34, and Jabbari.
Newly unsealed evidence provided to USA TODAY by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office included text messages between the two; voice recordings of Majors criticizing Jabbari; photos of Jabbari's injuries; a recording of Majors' 911 call and surveillance video of Majors getting Jabbari back into a car.
Majors' attorneys argued Jabbari was the aggressor in the incident.
In closing arguments Dec. 14, Majors' lawyer portrayed Jabbari as a compulsive liar who concocted a story of an abusive relationship as revenge after catching her boyfriend of two years texting another woman.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, said the actor "struck a blow" to his partner's head that left her stunned in the backseat of a car. They said the assault was the latest escalation in Majors' repeated attempts to "exert control" over his girlfriend through both physical and emotional violence, citing a past instance in which he allegedly urged her not to seek medical attention for a head injury because it could "lead to an investigation."
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Brian Truitt, USA TODAY; Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press
veryGood! (34)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- A New UN “Roadmap” Lays Out a Global Vision for Food Security and Emissions Reductions
- Police and customs seize live animals, horns and ivory in global wildlife trafficking operation
- Watch soldier dad surprise family members one after another as they walk in
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Music trends that took us by surprise in 2023
- Investigators accessed Trump White House cellphone records and plan to use them at trial, special counsel says
- As COP28 negotiators wrestle with fossil fuels, activists urge them to remember what’s at stake
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- SantaCons have flocks of Santas flooding city streets nationwide: See the Christmas chaos
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Anderson Cooper Has the Best Reaction to BFF Andy Cohen's NSFW Bedroom Questions
- After Texas Supreme Court blocks her abortion, Kate Cox leaves state for procedure
- After Texas Supreme Court blocks her abortion, Kate Cox leaves state for procedure
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Myanmar’s economy is deteriorating as its civil conflict intensifies, World Bank report says
- Bernie Madoff victims to get additional $158 million in restitution
- Baseball's first cheater? The story of James 'Pud' Galvin and testicular fluid
Recommendation
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Swedish authorities say 5 people died when a construction elevator crashed to the ground
The 2024 Toyota Prius wins MotorTrend's Car of the Year
Sophia Bush Shares Insight Into Grant Hughes Divorce Journey
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Patrick Mahomes apologizes for outburst at NFL officials, explicit comments to Bills' Josh Allen
Finland to reopen 2 out of 8 border crossings with Russia after a 2-week closure over migrant influx
These 22 UGG Styles Are on Sale for Less Than $100 and They Make Great Holiday Gifts