Avengers: Endgame (2019) marked the departure of several key Avengers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man/Tony Stark made the ultimate sacrifice to save the universe, while Chris Evans’ Captain America/Steve Rogers retired, passing his iconic Vibranium shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Falcon.
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The upcoming Captain America film picks up the storyline from the 2021 Disney+ series Falcon and the Winter Soldier, following Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) as he continues his journey of healing from his HYDRA past. It also showcases Sam Wilson as he fully embraces his new role as Captain America.
Disney Removes Israel Connection?
Since the release of its teaser trailer, Captain America: Brave New World has not been free from controversy. Originally titled Captain America: New World Order, the film’s name was changed due to the political nature of the phrase “New World Order,” which sparked debate among fans.
More recently, the casting of Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra, a controversial Israeli superhero, has stirred criticism given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Fans have called for a boycott of the film, citing Zionist and pro-Israel messaging. However, a report from insider Daniel Richtman indicates that Haas’ character will play a “lead” role in the film.
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Captain America: Brave New World is being stripped of connections to Israel by Disney, likely due to the current Gaza conflict, according to insider Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK). The report reads:
After backlash, Marvel has removed any links to Ruth/Sabra being Israeli ‘Captain America: Brave New World’. Now she's a random powerless ex-Black Widow. Before reshoots she was a mutant who tells sam she got her powers when she was a teen in Tel Aviv.
Despite the earlier boycott movement, Marvel and Disney appear to be moving forward with the character, choosing to retain her Jewish identity while removing explicit Israeli associations and visual elements from the original comic version. Now, it seems that her origin has been cut entirely, and will likely not even be mentioned.
Notably, in the Marvel Comics, Sabra evolves into a character critical of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), making this adaptation a bold and potentially controversial move for the typically cautious Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios.
Now that she has been reduced to “random powerless ex-Black Widow”, the storyline might be even less clear.
Do you think Disney made the right choice to cut Sabra as we know her? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
More on Captain America: Brave New World
In Captain America: Brave New World, likely setting up Marvel Comics' World War Hulk storyline, Tim Blake Nelson returns as Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader, a cellular biologist who gains superhuman intelligence after being exposed to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood.
Harrison Ford steps into the role of Thaddeus Ross, now President Ross of the United States — and most likely the Red Hulk — replacing the late William Hurt. Liv Tyler also returns, reprising her role as Betty Ross from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. She portrays a cellular biologist and Bruce Banner’s former girlfriend.
Notably absent from the cast is Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, a long-time staple in the Captain America films. His storyline is now set to continue in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie.
Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will take center stage, donning a new Captain America suit, alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon and U.S. Air Force lieutenant introduced in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The ensemble cast also includes Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, Shira Haas as Ruth/Sabra, and additional actors such as Xosha Roquemore, Seth Rollins, Rosa Salazar, and Giancarlo Esposito in undisclosed roles. Contrary to rumors, Esposito is not playing the MCU’s new Professor X/Charles Xavier.
Sounds like Disney continues to “commit virtual suicide” and ignores the fact that many of the directions they take are going to offend “someone”. And if that “someone” is the majority of the people, you are in trouble.