Jonathan Majors Lands Lead Role In Revenge Thriller After Guilty Verdict In Domestic Assault Case

Jonathan Majors is set to star in a new film directed by Martin Villeneuve, exploring themes of possession and revenge. The film follows a CIA interrogator grappling with supernatural forces after his loved one falls victim.

Majors' return to the big screen comes after he suffered several losses due to his legal troubles, including Marvel Studios cutting ties with him.

In April, Jonathan Majors was sentenced to probation after being found guilty of assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in his domestic abuse trial.

Majors has signed on as a lead in the upcoming revenge thriller "Merciless." Martin Villeneuve, known for his sci-fi work "Mars et Avril" and brother to renowned filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, will direct the film.

According to Deadline, "Merciless" follows a skilled CIA interrogator who faces a harrowing challenge after his beloved is consumed by an ominous force, compelling him to delve into darker realms to combat it.

Filming for "Merciless" is scheduled to commence in Saskatchewan in late autumn and marks Majors' return to the screen following legal issues earlier this year.

As Villeneuve describes the film, "'Merciless' intertwines themes of possession, revenge, and personal justice within a haunting narrative. It explores the psychological descent of John, played by Majors, and the supernatural forces challenging his sanity."

Producer Christopher Tuffin, who developed the project, plans to unveil it at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival under his innovative global media venture.

Tuffin aims to showcase how his venture challenges conventional norms, particularly in "refusing to let the court of public opinion and selective prosecution undermine great art and artists."

Reflecting on working with Majors, Tuffin, who played a pivotal role in the success of "Sound of Freedom," — a box office hit last summer, grossing over $250 million worldwide theatrically and $400 million across all media platforms stated: "In graduate school, I had the good fortune to study screenwriting under Blacklist scribe Millard Lampell and learned from him the dangers of letting politics undermine due process and deprive artists of their careers."

"I consider it an honor and a privilege to be working with Jonathan, who is such a great talent now that this matter has been adjudicated," he added, per Deadline.

Tuffin will produce "Merciless" alongside Kevin Townsend and Kevin DeWalt, with Amanda Delaplaine, Chris Ochs, Andrew Bates, and Ben DeWalt serving as executive producers.

Earlier this year, Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault by a Manhattan jury in December and faced a potential year in jail. However, the "Creed III" star received probation instead of prison time for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in March 2023.

Following his conviction, Marvel Studios swiftly severed ties with Majors, dropping him from the role of Kang the Conqueror and postponing his highly anticipated film "Magazine Dreams."

The conviction arose from a March 2023 incident where Majors' former girlfriend, Jabbari, accused him of assaulting her in a chauffeured vehicle. She detailed how he struck her head, twisted her arm, and fractured her middle finger.

In court, Jabbari tearfully expressed her concerns, stating that the "Loki" star showed no remorse and posed a continued threat.

"He's not sorry. He has not accepted responsibility," Jabbari asserted, adding, "He will do this again, and he will hurt other women. He believes he is above the law."

Jabbari described a relationship where Majors isolated her from loved ones and controlled her emotionally.

"I was so emotionally dependent on him," she said. "I became a different person around him – small, scared, and vulnerable."

On the other hand, Majors' defense team argued that Jabbari initiated the altercation, reacting jealously to a text message from another woman on his phone.

The "Harder They Fall" star maintained that his actions were to retrieve his phone and leave the situation safely.

However, despite his defense, the jury found Majors guilty of two misdemeanor counts of reckless assault and harassment.

During the court proceedings, Majors, accompanied by his girlfriend, actor Meagan Good, chose not to address the court or speak to reporters. His lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, emphasized that Majors remains "committed to growing as a person" while maintaining his innocence.

Chaudhry highlighted the devastating impact on Majors' career at the time, stating, "He's lost his whole career.