John Boyega Breaks Silence on Replacing Jonathan Majors That Has a Direct Robert Downey Jr. Influence: “I know it’s real hard to top…”
With Jonathan Majors fired from his role as supervillain Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after being found guilty of assault, speculation has swirled over which actor could potentially replace him. One name proposed by fans, John Boyega, was swiftly rejected by the actor himself in a tweet making it crystal clear that he has zero interest in joining the MCU.
John Boyega Shuts Down Rumors He Could Replace Jonathan Majors as Kang
After portraying Kang variants across projects like Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Jonathan Majors was poised to be the big bad of the next Avengers films before his legal troubles led Marvel to sever ties. This has left a major void, with the studio now needing to recast or rewrite the role of Kang leading up to 2026’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Inevitably, fans and media have questioned which actors could take over as Kang.
According to Slash Film, one suggestion was John Boyega, known for Star Wars and Small Axe, who has openly spurned major franchises before. On Twitter, Boyega posted a GIF of the Shrek character Donkey shaking his head to confirm he will not be the new Kang. This aligns with Boyega’s public rejection of lengthy franchise commitments and desire for more creative freedom.
Why Doesn’t John Boyega Want to Join the MCU?
Boyega previously made headlines for criticizing his marginalized role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, expressing relief to no longer be involved. He also plainly shut down speculation he could appear in the Marvel movie The Marvels.
“That’s not in the vision for me now,” Boyega told Men’s Health in 2022. “I want to do nuanced things…I want to donate my services to original indie films that come with new, fresh ideas, because I know it’s real hard to top ‘Iron Man’ in that universe.”
This insight sheds light on why Boyega swatted down rumors of playing Kang. As a crucial Phase 4-6 villain, it would require a multi-year commitment that could span numerous MCU projects. Boyega appears to crave more variety at this stage in his career.
Also Read: Jamie Foxx’s Fans Are Finally Relieved After Scary Updates on His Medical Conditions
Has John Boyega Ever Worked on a Major Franchise?
In fact, Boyega already gave the blockbuster franchise route a shot as co-lead Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. But he later expressed frustration with his character’s diminished arc and relief to no longer be attached to the series.
“You ain’t gonna Disney+ me!” he remarked about declining to reprise Finn for a Disney+ show, despite Disney giving many Star Wars actors spin-offs.
After feeling marginalized by Star Wars, it’s understandable that Boyega would avoid more blockbuster IPs like Marvel.
In recent years, Boyega has gravitated toward projects like Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology and the sci-fi comedy They Cloned Tyrone. These original stories allow Boyega to flex his acting chops without the baggage of iconic franchises.
Boyega clearly craves more freedom over his career choices rather than succumbing to the Marvel machine. While disappointing for fans, his definite rejection of playing Kang is consistent with his public statements about prioritizing passion projects outside major IP.
