Highlights
Jonathan Majors' role in Loki season 2 was not impacted by his arrest and legal situation. The show was completed without any additional photography.
The decision to maintain the show's current format stemmed from a cautious approach and a lack of sufficient information regarding the potential outcome of the situation. Both Marvel Studios and Disney continue to support Majors despite other companies severing their ties with him. Consequently, the premiere of Loki season 2 is set to proceed as scheduled on October 5, 2023.
With the highly anticipated premiere of Loki season 2 just around the corner on Disney Plus, a Marvel Studios executive has shed light on Jonathan Majors' role in the series and the unaffected nature of his arrest on the show.
Loki revolves around an alternate rendition of Tom Hiddleston's beloved character, who finds himself under the custody of the Time Variance Authority and is coerced into rectifying irregularities in the primary timeline. The show has garnered immense acclaim, particularly for Majors' portrayal of He Who Remains. This portrayal was so impressive that the director of Loki endorsed Majors' performance for all variations of the Kang character, which will also be appearing in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
However, Majors faced controversy when he was accused and arrested for domestic violence, resulting in additional accusations being made against him. Despite these allegations, executive producer Kevin Wright emphasized in a recent interview with Variety that Majors still plays a crucial role in Loki season 2. This has raised questions about whether the legal situation impacted the show. Wright clarified that the legal issues had no bearing on the production, stating, "This is the first Marvel series to never require any additional photography. The story depicted on screen is exactly what we set out to create. We had a clear vision for the show from the beginning and were able to execute it within the designated production period. The final product on Disney+ is a true reflection of our original intentions."
When asked about the Majors situation, Wright clarified that there were no discussions regarding changes to Loki season 2, which had already finished filming in 2022 before the situation arose. He emphasized that he has limited information on the matter, just like the general public. Without understanding the full implications of the situation, it would be imprudent to take any immediate action. This aligns with how Marvel Studios and Disney have handled the situation, as they did not terminate their relationship with Majors when other companies did following the public accusations in May.
Considering that principal photography for Loki season 2 is complete and Majors' case is still unresolved, it would be wise for the company to refrain from making hasty judgments. Majors has a significant role in the upcoming storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Kang and his variants serving as the primary antagonistic force. Nonetheless, Wright's brief statement is the first remark related to the issue from someone even remotely involved in the matter since MCU star Anthony Mackie commented on the Majors controversy. Rather than expressing absolute confidence in Majors' innocence, this stance appears to be more cautious.
Loki season 2 is set to premiere on Disney Plus on October 5, 2023, well ahead of any potential resolution in the ongoing legal proceedings involving Majors. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the case, Marvel Studios can take solace in the fact that the series has been eagerly anticipated by fans and is expected to pave the way for a highly anticipated reunion within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As such, it is unlikely that Marvel Studios will face any immediate backlash for their current course of action.
Source: Variety