Disgraced Marvel actor Jonathan Majors says he deserves a second chance, in his first interview following domestic assault convictions.
Key points:
- After Majors was found guilty of misdemeanour assault and harassment charges, Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. dropped him from all projects
- Majors told ABC's Good Morning America he wants to act again
- He faces the possibility of up to a year in jail for the assault conviction
Marvel Studios dropped Majors after he was found guilty by a New York jury in December of assaulting and harassing his former girlfriend.
He told ABC's Good Morning America he wants to act again following the conviction.
"I pray I do, but it's God's plan and God's timing," he said in the interview that aired Monday.
Asked whether he deserves a second chance, he responded: "I think I do. I hope other people think that."
Majors became a major Hollywood player through roles in Creed III and was due to reboot the Marvel multiverse with his role as key supervillain Kang the Conqueror.
But just hours after the jury found Majors guilty of the two misdemeanour charges, Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. dropped him from all upcoming projects.
Disney declined to comment on whether it will recast the role of Kang or pivot in a new direction.
Majors said in the interview he was shocked by the verdict.
"I was absolutely shocked and afraid," Majors said.
"I'm standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, 'How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?'"
Majors faces the possibility of up to a year in jail for the assault conviction at his February 6 sentencing, though other non-jail sentences are possible.
Majors 'felt like it was time' for interview
The March 2023 dispute between Majors and then girlfriend Grace Jabbari began in the back seat of a chauffeured car and spilled into the streets of Manhattan.
Ms Jabbari accused Majors of hitting her in the head with his open hand, twisting her arm behind her back and squeezing her middle finger until it fractured.
In the interview, Majors continued to deny it happened.
Asked how Ms Jabbari was injured, Majors responded, "I wish to God I knew. That would give clarity. That would give me some type of peace about it."
Majors's lawyers alleged at trial Ms Jabbari flew into a jealous rage after reading a text message from another woman on his phone.
They alleged Ms Jabbari had spread a "fantasy" to take down the actor, who was only trying to regain his phone and get away safely.
Surveillance video shows both Majors running off with Ms Jabbari chasing him and Majors lifting Ms Jabbari into an SUV.
Majors said he was speaking because he "felt like it was time."
"A lot has happened in my personal life, in my career, and the culture," he said.
"It's about responsibility and coming forward and being brave and giving my part of the story."
Star 'continues to take no accountability' says attorney
In a statement to US outlet ABC News, Ms Jabbari's attorney Brittany Henderson said it was not surprising Majors "continues to take no accountability for his actions".
She added the timing of the interview "demonstrates a clear lack of remorse for his actions".
During the trial, Ms Jabbari also described Majors's "violent temper" and other incidents where he "exploded" in anger.
In the interview Majors said — given a second chance — he wouldn't have picked Ms Jabbari up or put her back in the car.
"I would've gotten out of that car and ran — immediately," he said.
Majors said he loved Ms Jabbari, but stayed in an unhealthy relationship because he was scared.
"I should have been brave," he said.
"I should have said, 'No this isn't working,' and I should have walked away and I didn't."
AP