Before Jonathan Majors graced the screen as He Who Remains in the Disney Plus series Loki, he appeared in several roles that went unnoticed by casual audiences. He began acting in 2013 but didn’t land anything prominent until 2017. From then on he earned role after role, year after year, making a name for himself as a stalwart actor that only enhances the films he’s in.

Majors is poised to play the new big bad not just in Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania but the next couple of phases of Marvel’s cinematic universe as Kang the Conqueror. Majors is also set to appear in the third Creed movie alongside Michael B. Jordan who is also no stranger to Marvel movies. Jonathan Majors never fails to impress with his versatility and range as an actor.

RELATED: Ant-Man 3: Jonathan Majors Studied Tom Hiddleston's Loki Performance After Being Cast As Kang

The Last Black Man In San Francisco

Jimmie Fails and Jonathan Majors carrying flowers in The Last Black Man in San Francisco

This 2019 independent drama tells the story of Jimmie Fails, a young Black man who dreams of reclaiming a beautiful Victorian home his grandfather built in the heart of San Francisco. Along with his best friend, Mont, Jimmie embarks on a journey to restore the house to its former glory, all the while confronting the painful history that led to the loss of his family's property. The movie explores gentrification, identity, and the search for a sense of belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Based on true events, Jonathan Majors delivers an authentic performance that brings depth and vulnerability to Montgomery “Mont” Allen’s character. Mont is an introspective character who provides emotional support for Jimmie throughout the film. Not only was The Last Black Man in San Francisco crowdfunded through Kickstarter, it was also produced by Brad Pitt and showcased Majors’ talent as an actor.

Captive State

Jonathan Majors in Captive State

Ant-Man and the Wasp won’t be Jonathan Majors’ first foray into science fiction. He dipped his toe in the genre in this 2019 science fiction thriller that takes place in post-apocalyptic Chicago after an extraterrestrial force occupied Earth and established a totalitarian regime. While exploring themes of oppression, loyalty, and sacrifice, the story follows Gabriel Drummond as he assists his brother Rafe, the leader of a resistance movement, fight against the alien rulers. The movie might have been unsuccessful at the box office, but Jonathan Majors put up a noteworthy performance.

Jonathan Majors plays Rafe with a fierce intensity that oozes through the screen. He is a complex character struggling with personal demons while balancing the weight of the world on his shoulders that Majors captures masterfully. The character’s fierce determination stands out and often steals the scenes from his co-stars. Audiences easily feel Majors’ passion and commitment throughout the entirety of the film.

Lovecraft Country

Jonathan Majors Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country is an adaptation of a novel of the same name that explores Lovecraftian horror and racism in 1950’s America. Atticus Freeman, played by Jonathan Majors, returns from the Korean War to search for his missing father. Freeman deals with the harsh realities of discrimination and encounters supernatural and human horrors alike. Majors brilliantly translates the character of Atticus for cinema, capturing his multifaceted qualities from his courage and intelligence to his fears and insecurities.

It was a unique adaptation that acknowledged the existence of the source material it was based on, albeit changing the author and character names. Lovecraft Country went on to win multiple awards, including Best Horror Series and Top TV Program of the Year along with dozens of nominations. A second season was planned before HBO canceled it in the midst of development in 2021.

When We Rise

Jonathan Majors in When We Rise standing in a crowd

2017 marked Jonathan Majors’ return to cinema since 2013 and he returned in a quality docudrama. When We Rise chronicles the history of the LGBTQ rights movement in the United States and follows the lives of several prominent activists including Cleve Jones, Roma Guy, Ken Jones, and Cecilia Chung. Acting beside an all-star cast from Guy Pearce to Michael K. Williams (who played Majors’ father in Lovecraft Country), Jonathan Majors returned to the industry in a big way.

Jonathan Majors played the young version of Ken Jones, a Vietnam War veteran and LGBT+ activist, with an understated intensity and emotional depth. This miniseries showed the emotional range that Majors could reach, cementing his future in the industry. Many were surprised to find such a substantial miniseries on network television at the time. Due in part to Majors’ portrayal of Ken Jones.

Da 5 Bloods

Jonathan Majors and Delroy Lindo in Da 5 bloods

Four African American Vietnam War veterans return to Vietnam to search for a stash of treasure they left behind in this Spike Lee drama. The vets are joined by David, played by Jonathan Majors, the son of Delroy Lindo’s character Paul, and confront the lingering effects from the war. Spike Lee is one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood. Starring in one of his “joints” is a prestigious accomplishment.

Jonathan Majors’ David serves as a link between the past and present for the characters. He effectively conveys the emotional weight and impact war has on veterans and their families. He conveys a deep passion for his craft that resonates with audiences through his powerful performance. He gets them to invest in the relationship between his and Lindo's character.

MORE: New Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Featurette Gives Details On Kang's Evil Plan