Jonathan Majors will no longer portray basketball icon Dennis Rodman in the upcoming film “48 Hours in Vegas.” The project, initially under Lionsgate, has been returned to producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Majors, known for his roles in Marvel projects, faced a double blow as he was dropped from his contract with Marvel Studios following his recent assault conviction.
The film was set to delve into Rodman’s eccentric journey to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals, a pivotal moment when the Chicago Bulls clashed with the Utah Jazz. Rodman, recognized for his flamboyant style and formidable rebounding skills, played alongside legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Lord and Miller, the acclaimed duo behind hits like “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “The Lego Movie,” can now explore alternative studios for the project. With a history at both Sony and Universal, the filmmakers have the opportunity to find a new home for “48 Hours in Vegas.”
The decision to part ways with Majors aligns with his recent legal troubles. Convicted of assault and harassment in December, Majors faces sentencing on February 6. Maintaining his innocence, Majors spoke out in a recent interview, expressing disbelief at the verdict.
The impact of Majors’ legal issues extends beyond “48 Hours in Vegas.” The awards-contending film “Magazine Dreams” has been shelved, adding to the challenges faced by the actor, who previously appeared in Marvel productions like “Loki” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”
This development follows Disney’s swift action in dropping Majors from future Marvel projects immediately after his conviction. The actor’s removal from the Dennis Rodman biopic adds another layer to the ongoing repercussions of his legal situation.