Why 2023 Has Been the Most Controversial Year in the MCU’s History
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has entered its fifth phase with a focus on the future; however, the future looks more uncertain than ever before. With an overwhelming number of films and television shows, it has become challenging to keep up with the plot and storylines. The once coordinated effort to tell a cohesive story now seems like a cash grab, and the lack of quality is starting to show. The latest MCU movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, one of the most anticipated movies since Avengers: Endgame, received a lackluster response from audiences and critics alike. The decision to put Kang at the center of the franchise has only added to the problem.
The MCU has faced multiple controversies due to the alleged actions of two pivotal villains, Jonathan Majors and Tenoch Huerta. The franchise’s future seems to be hanging by a thread as Marvel’s handling of the allegations will determine whether fans stay loyal. Unfortunately, with a lackluster start to the year and multiple assault allegations, 2023 is shaping up to be the most controversial year in MCU history.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was meant to introduce Kang as the ultimate threat to the multiverse and thrust the franchise into the future. However, the film was uninspiring and fell short of audience expectations. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 performed well at the box office, it isn’t part of the bigger picture regarding the future of the MCU.
The most severe problem facing the MCU is the assault and abuse allegations surrounding two of its main actors, Jonathan Majors and Tenoch Huerta. Both actors have become alleged villains in the real world, and their casting has become a source of controversy. Majors was arrested on charges of strangulation, assault, and harassment. Since then, other women have come forward detailing their own abuse allegations involving the actor. Marvel has yet to comment on the situation, and there doesn’t appear to be any discussions of dropping him from the franchise.
Huerta faces allegations of sexual assault by musician and activist Maria Elena Rios. In a series of tweets, Rios accused Huerta of being a “sexual predator,” while Huerta denies any wrongdoing. For the moment, no definitive casting changes have been made regarding their roles as Kang and Namor. It’s safe to assume Marvel is waiting to see how the situations with Majors and Huerta play out before any real decisions regarding the future of the MCU and its villains have to be made. Nonetheless, 2023 is not their best year.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is now in its fifth phase as it looks toward the future, and so far, it appears to be more uncertain than ever before. Between the numerous films and television shows the MCU is cranking out as it moves from phase to phase, it’s hard to keep the plots and storylines straight anymore. What began as a seemingly coordinated effort to tell a cohesive story culminating in Avengers: Endgame now seems like a juggernaut of nothing more than cash grabs, and the lack of quality is beginning to show.
One of the MCU’s most anticipated movies since Avengers: Endgame hit theaters two months into the new year with a less than enthusiastic response from audiences and critics alike, creating a problem for the franchise as they move forward. However, despite the lackluster reception from fans, a bigger problem now lies in the decision to put Kang at the center of it all.
Recently, the MCU was thrust into multiple controversies due to the alleged actions of two pivotal MCU villains. As a result, the future of the franchise seems to be hanging by a thread. How Marvel will ultimately handle the allegations and their actions regarding the actors will determine whether fans stay loyal to the franchise. Unfortunately, with a lackluster start to the year as well as multiple assault allegations, 2023 is shaping up to be the most controversial year in MCU’s history.
Poor Film Reception
The MCU kicked off the year with a highly anticipated movie fans couldn’t wait to see and officially introduced Kang, the MCU’s newest villain meant to be at the center of the franchise going forward. Although Kang was previously seen in the first season of Loki, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was meant to be his first real introduction as Kang the Conqueror. Unfortunately, the movie was uninspiring. It was met with less-than-spectacular reviews from critics and fell wildly short of audiences’ expectations for the film. Given how well Ant-Man’s previous films performed, fans expected much more than they received.
Although the MCU has done well with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 since its release last month, Kang isn’t mentioned. While Star-Lord and the gang performed well at the box office, their film isn’t part of the bigger picture regarding the future of the MCU. The newest Ant-Man was meant to thrust the franchise into the future full force and set up Kang as the ultimate threat to the multiverse. Unfortunately, it simply didn’t work, and fans weren’t impressed.
Multiple Misconduct Allegations
While an overload of content coupled with a poorly received film warrant critique, the most severe problem facing the MCU is the assault and abuse allegations surrounding two of its main actors. After the demise of Thanos, Kang, and Namor entered the fray, and the groundwork for their place as the antagonists to fear began. However, the two actors behind the nefarious characters, Jonathan Majors and Tenoch Huerta, have become alleged villains in the real world.
Nearly a month after the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Majors was arrested in Manhattan on charges of strangulation, assault, and harassment. Since that interaction, other women have come forward detailing their own abuse allegations involving the actor and are now cooperating with the District Attorney’s Office. It should be noted that the strangulation charge has since been dropped.
Following the initial charges, Majors was let go by his talent agency, his PR firm, and will no longer star in The Man in My Basement adaptation. However, despite the backlash he’s encountered in the wake of his arrest, Marvel has yet to comment on the situation, and there doesn’t appear to be any discussions of dropping him from the franchise.
Further complicating matters for the MCU, Huerta faces allegations of sexual assault by musician and activist Maria Elena Rios. In a series of tweets released recently, Rios accused the anti-racial and anti-classism front in Mexico known as Poder Prieto of stealing her work without compensating her, leading to her accusation regarding Huerta, who she describes as a “sexual predator.” Huerta responded by stating their romantic relationship was “consensual” and has since hired a legal team in an effort to counter her accusations.
Both Majors and Huerta vehemently deny any wrongdoing, and for the moment, no definitive casting changes have been made regarding their roles as Kang and Namor. Majors will still appear in the sophomore season of Loki, set to be released via Disney+ later this year in October, and he is still attached to the upcoming Avengers: The Kang Dynasty along with Huerta, which has yet to begin production.
Rallying support behind alleged abusers isn’t a good look, but prematurely recasting major roles based on allegations wouldn’t bode well either. It’s safe to assume Marvel is waiting to see how the situations with Majors and Huerta play out before any real decisions regarding the future of the MCU and its villains have to be made. Nonetheless, 2023 is not their best year.
