Marvel’s beloved superheroes have reunited in a political video endorsing Kamala Harris for president, sparking a wave of cringe and criticism among fans. The video, featuring stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson, has raised concerns about the potential damage to Disney’s reputation and the Marvel franchise.
In a Zoom video, shared by Vanity Fair, Johansson, Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Danai Gurira and Paul Bettany came together to brainstorm a new catchphrase for Kamala Harris in her campaign against Donald Trump. which has garnered mixed reactions, features the actors coming up with a catchphrase of “Down with democracy!” creating some concerns that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s endorsement of a political candidate is a very bad decisions. Many fans and critics argue that the actors’ clumsy execution and lack of authentic political discourse could also have negative repercussions on their image and the reputation of the franchises.
Thanos was right https://t.co/faCDhPtwWy
— Bleeding Fool (@BleedingFool) November 1, 2024
Don’t sit this one out. It’s the one where we will lose big: Project 2025, women’s reproductive rights, climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, public education, student debt relief, Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and as of today, life saving vaccines. This shit is real and it’s…
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 31, 2024
The video’s release, just before the election, only adds to the current discourse about the power of celebrity endorsements in influencing voters, especially when they are perceived as juvenile and lacking serious political impact. The clearly scripted nature of the video fails to resonate with audiences who generally prefer authenticity in their entertainment.
This certainly isn’t the first time MCU stars like Ruffalo, Downey Jr., and Johansson have engage in political persuasion though.
Robert Downey Jr - Save The Day - Vote!
In January 2021, the Iron Man actor said of the change in leadership in the U.S., with Joe Biden taking over as president from Donald Trump: “You know, it’s funny, what a difference a day can make.”
Over the past ten years, Marvel’s popularity has declined, the reliance on past stars for political endorsements may not yield the desired results and could only further erode trust in the brand. The public’s increasing skepticism towards celebrity endorsements, especially when they blur the lines between politics and entertainment, has led to a growing disconnect between fans and the franchises they once admired.
Moreover, the association of Robert Downey Jr., once thought to be a beloved unifying figure in the Marvel universe, with this controversial political content could potentially damage his legacy as fans question his involvement in overtly partisan actions. Didn’t Disney fire Gina Carano for making political posts on her social media? So why is this okay?
These Marvel actors’ cringeworthy political video has only further created concerns about Disney’s direction of the Marvel franchise and the impact of celebrities’ overtly partisan actions on audience engagement. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the role of celebrities in political discourse and the potential consequences of their actions on their image and the brands they represent will continue to be a topic of discussion.
Hopefully people will ignore these clowns and make the right decision and vote for President Trump next Tuesday.
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English (US) · 