Jonathan Majors the Conqueror -- ep. by Terrance Wellmaker

A short take on Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror.

Written by Terrance Wellmaker.
Read by Kassandra Timm.

Transcript

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania were excited about the adventures of the film's pint-sized hero. But the real reward came from actor Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror; who makes his debut in the (2023) film.

In fact, the appearance of Majors, a black actor, in the role of Kang may have come as a surprise to some since Kang has always been portrayed as a white man in the comics. 

You’re listening to Remarkable Receptions — a podcast about popular and critical responses to African American novels and more. 

Jonathan Majors has been on a roll and is still going strong. He is coming off of a stellar 2022, during which he appeared in shows such as Lovecraft Country, Loki, and Devotion. In 2023, he stars in Magazine Dreams, Creed 3, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Jonathan Majors is setting a precedent for his career, and his prolific appearances are set to make him a household name.

In the film, Major's character is referred to as "undignified" and "out of control" – something starkly different from the comic book version of Kang who is very dignified, always about order and rarely loses control. It’s notable though, that version of Kang is a white man. To avoid spoilers, let's just say audiences believe that Majors, as Kang, was "done dirty" by the film's third act.

While some groups could point out that it the film paints a picture of an unhinged black man, it's exciting to consider changes to the character Kang, who was first introduced in 1963. Perhaps now being cast as a black man with a new origin story will energize the MCU's next saga. 

Regardless of Kang's direction, which audiences agree Majors played like a true thespian, it’s likely we’ll see more in the years to come! The future possibilities of Majors as Kang are simply remarkable.

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This episode of Remarkable Receptions was written by Terrance Wellmaker. The episode was edited by Elizabeth Cali and Howard Rambsy. 

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This podcast, Remarkable Receptions, is part of the Black Literature Network, a joint project from African American literary studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the History of Black Writing at the University of Kansas. The project was made possible by the generous support of the Mellon Foundation.  For more information, visit blacklitnetwork.org.