Several high-profile actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are calling for a boycott of Disney following the network’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! under pressure from the FCC. The move by the Disney-owned ABC network came after the talk show criticized the Trump administration for allegedly politicizing the recent assassination of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.
Marisa Tomei and Tatiana Maslany Lead Protest
Marisa Tomei, known for her role as Aunt May in the Spider-Man franchise, utilized Instagram to publicly urge fans to boycott Disney. Her call to action includes the very Marvel films she starred in, ranging from 2016’s Captain America: Civil War to 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. While Tomei’s character was killed by the Green Goblin, making a return to the franchise unlikely, her public stance against the media conglomerate marks a significant act of defiance.
Joining the protest, Tatiana Maslany, the lead of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, took to social media to advocate for the cancellation of Disney+ subscriptions. Maslany’s message was particularly direct, sharing an Instagram story that featured a behind-the-scenes photo of her in a motion capture suit from the production of the She-Hulk series.
The Fallout of the Charlie Kirk Assassination
The controversy stems from the political fallout following the assassination of Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University campus last week. The Trump administration and various reactionary movements have leveraged the tragedy to challenge critics, leading to increased scrutiny of media outlets. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a segment suggesting the administration was using the event to “score political points,” the resulting pressure from the FCC led ABC to pull the program.
Mixed Reactions Across Late-Night Media
The response from the entertainment industry has been fragmented. While some stars have taken a firm stance, other figures in late-night television have remained cautious. Jimmy Fallon, for instance, noticeably avoided addressing the controversy directly during his recent monologue. Conversely, other platforms, such as The Daily Show, have chosen to address the incident head-on.
Beyond the media landscape, the assassination continues to impact the cultural sphere. Government officials have reignited long-standing debates regarding the potential correlation between video games and real-world violence, citing the alleged shooter’s gaming history as a focal point for new policy arguments.
