Expo D23 prompted a series of announcements and Marvel’s Captain America: New World Order was no exception to the effort expected by fans. However, following the announcement of a new character joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the reaction was thunderous to say the least. As Shira Haas sets to play the franchise’s first Israeli superhero, Sabra, fans have come under heavy fire for Marvel Studios’ controversial decision.
Also Read: Captain America: New World Order Casts Mary Magdalene Star Shira Haas As The MCU’s First Israeli Superhero, ‘Sabra’
When it comes to MCU and its years of overarching storytelling and diverse character portrayals, the superhero franchise is notable for stepping into the murky waters of political affairs more than once. Previously, films produced by the studio have been scrutinized for themes of military propaganda, as fans and critics have intricately noted.
Some also found that Marvel had no problem entering the world and addressing various societal issues. However, to say he didn’t receive a backlash for such decisions would be a lie. Captain America: New World Order is one of those projects that seems to bear the brunt of these choices.
Why did Sabra cause an uproar among fans?
First appearance in the The Incredible Hulk comics, in 1980, Sabra is a mutant superhero, known for his extremely powerful and varied abilities. After the announcement of her inclusion in the MCU, what bothered many fans was Sabra’s character’s connection to the Israeli government, as shown in the comics. Achieving the most extreme extremes, past iterations of Sabra were nothing short of problematic overtones.
What most fans struggle with is the decision to include a character tainted by nothing but controversy. Many believe this judgment comes at the expense of Sam Wilson finally getting his highly anticipated solo film.
Also read: Marvel Theory – Captain America: New World Order is a multiverse movie that will bring back Chris Evans as a variant of Steve Rogers
On Twitter, many fans shared their opinions on why delving into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a major mistake on Marvel Studios’ part, especially bearing in mind the sensitivity and complexity of the issue that prevails in contemporary times. Some people think that seeking to include such a convoluted form of representation could only aggravate notions of anti-Semitism.
Fans think Sabra will eclipse Sam Wilson’s Captain America
With the inclusion of the complicated character, who will be played by Shira Haas, who has an intense story associated with her, fans aren’t sure in which direction. New world order will take. Many are skeptical of such a resolution, which Marvel Studios has actively decided to move forward with. Regarding Sabra, also known as Ruth Bat-Seraph, and her original depiction in the The Incredible Hulk comics, most would prove quite difficult to translate into the MCU, especially with the onslaught of criticism the character has faced at the moment.
Therefore, while most of the connotations associated with the controversial superheroine will likely be left behind, many argue that such a move is sure to steal the show from favorite Sam Wilson. Captain America 4.
If Marvel Studios somehow agrees to take a biased approach to Sabra, fans would be upset to see that happen in Anthony Mackie’s standout, a company people were genuinely excited about. This would not only lead to further exposure, but also ruin what appears to be Marvel’s saving grace – the long-awaited Phase 5.
Take a look at fan reactions, thoughts and views on Sabra:
I don’t think anyone understands how sick it is for Marvel to name a movie after an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, cast the villain as a Jewish man, and on top of that cast the “good” Jewish character as a Zionist.
— nicole ✡︎ (@STARCHAS3R) September 10, 2022
God help us all, the MCU fandom is on the verge of becoming horribly anti-Semitic and it’s all Feige’s fault
— yehu (@comicyehu) September 10, 2022
“To make him see this dead Arab boy as a human being”.
The latest wonder character who is an Israeli mossad agent.
You can’t make this shit up. pic.twitter.com/zu1dvgHtY5
— Salem Barahmeh (@Barahmeh) September 11, 2022
Also Read: Captain America: New World Order Does What She-Hulk Couldn’t – Give Us a Comic-Accurate Version of the Leader as the Main Villain
Marvel Fans: ‘Hey, can we get more Jewish representation in the MCU? Y’all have a little erasing problem’
MCU: * Sabra ad, an Israeli propaganda superhero, for Captain America: NEW….WORLD…. ORDER….*– Cap’n Wonder (@CaptainWonder99) September 10, 2022
never ask for anything again because how did jews asking for better representation become sabra which was created to be the israeli propaganda being in the mcu and the villain of a movie that has the same name as an antisemitic plot being played by a Jewish actor
— zi ✡︎ (@oofouchoww) September 10, 2022
This is how the Arabs are presented in Sabra’s first appearance in the Marvel comics. The word Palestinian is never used. An Arab child in the comic who is a liar and an illiterate thief is killed by black-veiled bombers so Sabra can cry over them. Literally shoot and shout propaganda. pic.twitter.com/qh10S9VzsF
— Khaldoun Khelil 🥇Ennie 🇵🇸🇩🇿 #freePalestine (@kkhelil) September 11, 2022
Although it remains to be seen how exactly Sabra will be incorporated into the Phase 5 movie; as friend or foe to Sam Wilson. The compromising situation that has befallen the Marvel franchise is extremely delicate. Choosing to have a notoriously represented character in the first place seems like an odd position. The next few days will soon reveal if Marvel is ready to respond to the heartbreaking disapproval.
Fans of Sam Wilson’s Captain America will have to wait to see the final verdict – whether or not his character is destined to live in the shadow of a tendentious superheroine or to fly above it all.
Captain America: New World Order is set to hit theaters on May 3, 2024.
Source: Twitter
