Calls for a Boycott of 'CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD', What Happened?

The premiere of CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD in Hollywood was festive, but not just because of fan enthusiasm. Outside the event venue, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered and called for a boycott of Marvel's latest film. They view the presence of the Israeli superhero character, Sabra, as a symbol of support for Israel's actions in Palestine.

The demonstrators carried various banners and shouted slogans criticizing Disney and Marvel. They accused the companies of supporting genocide and demanded that the character Sabra be removed from the film. This controversy actually began in 2022, when Marvel first announced that Sabra would appear in CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.

Marvel itself has responded with an official statement that they are taking a new approach to the character Sabra to make it more relevant to modern audiences. However, this explanation has not been enough to quell the growing criticism leading up to the film's premiere. Here is the complete chronology from the beginning of the controversy to the protest action in Hollywood.

1. The Beginning of the Controversy

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

In 2022, Marvel announced that the character Sabra would appear in CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Sabra is the first Israeli superhero, introduced in THE INCREDIBLE HULK comics in the early 1980s. In the comic version, she is a Mossad agent, Israel's intelligence agency, who fights crime. However, Marvel's decision to bring this character to the big screen immediately sparked debate.

2. Marvel Tries to Calm Criticism with Character Changes

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

In response to the negative reactions, Marvel issued a statement that Sabra in the film would be different from her comic version. Producer Nate Moore emphasized that in CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, Sabra is no longer a Mossad agent, but works under the U.S. government. However, this was not enough to dispel the perception that Sabra's presence still carries sensitive political elements.

3. Protests Heat Up at Hollywood Premiere

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

When the film premiered in Hollywood, dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the event location. They carried banners reading "Sabra must go" and called for a boycott of Disney and Marvel. Some of the slogans they shouted included "Disney supports genocide" and "Free Palestine".

4. Accusations Against Disney and Marvel

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

Demonstrators accused Disney and Marvel of embedding propaganda in their films. They view the presence of Sabra as an attempt to normalize Israel's actions against Palestine. In fact, some linked support for this film to global political policies, leading to an even wider call for boycott on social media.

5. Shira Haas, Actress Behind the Character Sabra

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

Sabra is portrayed by Israeli actress Shira Haas, who is known for her role in the Netflix series UNORTHODOX. Haas was born in Israel and has built a reputation as a talented actress. However, the fact that she is from Israel has also become part of the controversy, as it is seen as a representation of a certain political position in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

6. What is the Impact of This Controversy?

Call to Boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. (instagram/marvelstudios)

The call to boycott CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD could affect the film's performance at the box office. Additionally, Marvel may need to be more cautious in selecting characters to adapt into films, especially those related to sensitive political and social issues. How this film will be received by global audiences remains a big question mark.