2023's Biggest CBM and TV Controversies

Introduction

Whether it was the MCU, DCEU, or the comic book movie and television genre in general, there was quite a bit of controversy in 2023. Amid the discussions about superhero movie fatigue and whether it's peaked, there's also been a wide collection of actor issues, behind-the-scenes drama, and a significant surge of delays, rewrites, firings, and more. Although things are looking up in the new year, it's interesting to look back and see how the genre was shaped by the preceding 365 days.

Jonathan Majors as Kang looking serious next to focused Victor Timely and He Who Remains

In 2023, the Marvel Cinematic Universe entered Phase 5 of the Multiverse Saga. Meanwhile, the DCEU concluded after 10 years with a new rebooted DC Universe on the way beginning in 2025 with James Gunn's Superman: Legacy. However, the success of both franchises in 2023 was very much a mixed bag overall. To that end, here are 10 of the biggest comic book movie and television controversies from 2023.

Controversy Highlights

One of the biggest controversies of 2023 was undoubtedly the criminal charges against actor Jonathan Majors. Shortly after his debut as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Majors was charged with domestic violence and assault involving a woman he was romantically involved with. To that end, December 2023 saw Majors being found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault, a ruling which led to Marvel Studios officially cutting ties, despite Majors role as the Kang variant Victor Timely in October's Loki season 2 which had already been filmed and completed before the dispute. As such, Kang's future and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is currently unknown.

Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror on his throne in Ant-Man 3

Marvel's Secret Invasion came under fire for its use of AI-generated images in its opening credits, generating frustration during strikes. The swirling images of human and shape-shifting alien Skrulls come across as insensitive and very tone-deaf. Furthermore, the premiere of Secret Invasion saw Nick Fury's right-hand woman Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) being killed off after appearing for a single episode, leading to criticisms regarding the portrayal of women characters. Marvel Studios also faced behind-the-scenes issues, including visual effects problems, delays, rewrites, and more.

secret invasion ai title credits

Marvel's upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series with Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock and Vincent D'onofrio had troubled production, including delays, missing actors, and a shift in the television production process. Additionally, actor Ezra Miller's The Flash faced criminal charges and backlash for lackluster visual effects upon its release. Warner Bros. also faced controversies, including Amber Heard's comments about her role as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and the decision to shelve the movie Coyote vs. Acme.

A close-up of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in the MCU's She-Hulk series

Industry Impact

The controversies of 2023 had a significant impact on the comic book movie and television industry. From actor issues to behind-the-scenes drama, delays, and rewrites, the year was marked by a series of challenges and controversies that shaped the future of the genre. The industry was forced to address issues of representation, production processes, and the treatment of actors and characters, leading to a reevaluation of the way comic book movies and television are created and consumed.

Kamala Khan, Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau in The Marvels 2023