Jonathan Majors is coming up on arguably the biggest role of his life, as he’s set to be the main antagonist of Marvel’s Multiverse Saga. He will debut as Kang The Conquerer in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a role fans have long been waiting for. After Josh Brolin’s performance as Thanos, Kang is the next big bad, and the 33-year-old actor has big shoes to fill.

During an interview with Men’s Health, the actor shared what drew him to the role, and how he wants to play Kang. “It was the character and dimensions of Kang [that drew him to the role.] And the potential that it had. I thought, ‘I’ll take a chance on that,’” Majors explains. The actor worked with strength-and-conditioning coach Jamie Sawyer to bulk up for his performance, with Sawyer implementing the same approach he uses on MMA fighters. Sawyer says, “He is the warrior version of Kang, so there was a focus on what that warrior would look like who’s been around through the ages and has developed every type of combat skill. It was about making him look like an imposing figure.”

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Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige praised Majors, saying his presence demands attention. “Jonathan is an incredibly compelling actor who puts in the work yet makes it look effortless, and he’s also just cool — everyone pays attention when he steps into the room.” Majors has shown immense dedication to his craft, with Men’s Health stating he put on 10 pounds of muscle for his Kang role, with an additional 5 pounds for the upcoming Creed film. Majors should completely embody Kang The Conquerer by the time Ant-Man 3 rolls around, arriving in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.

Jonathan Majors Embraces Being Uncomfortable While Training For Kang

     Marvel Studios

Jonathan Majors first appeared as a variant of Kang The Conquerer in the Loki season finale when he plays He Who Remains. However, this portrayal was far from his Kang counterpart, requiring little training for the role. Now that the actor is officially playing a supervillain, he recognizes the standards that come with it.

“I look at Kang and I go, Okay, cool. It’s a certain IP where people expect this at a bare minimum,” he says regarding the psychical transformation required for certain Marvel characters. “No one should put themselves or their families in a place where they’re hurting, but your own discomfort is not necessarily a bad thing. That’s growth. It’s not comfortable, but you’re here to save the world, aren’t you? Or take over the world.”

He adds that he is separating himself from previous villains like Killmonger and Thanos, allowing for his own portrayal in the MCU. Majors will have an entire film centered around his character, although he will undoubtedly appear in multiple projects across the multiverse saga. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty arrives in theaters on May 2, 2025.