Disney’s Marvel Erases Jewish Character Sabra in Captain America Film

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In simpler terms, Seth Mandel criticized Marvel/Disney’s perceived timidity in handling the character Sabra in the fourth Captain America movie, stating that this decision was one of the poorest in the recent live-action series.

In recent times, there’s been a significant rise in anti-Semitism in the Western world, with the Jewish community repeatedly voicing concerns about the potential erasure of their identity and presence in public spaces. Regrettably, this seems to have occurred in Disney and Marvel Studios’ prominent film series, and the reaction has been relatively subdued.

Expressing it differently, it’s clear that the situation suggests a potentially grim outlook for the future of Jewish identity in America. However, even this statement may not fully capture the gravity of the circumstances.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I find myself compelled to discuss a topic that has stirred quite a buzz within the cinematic realm. A few years back, Marvel – under Disney’s umbrella – unveiled plans to introduce Sabra, their Israeli superhero, into their illustrious film franchise. However, it swiftly became apparent that she would be more of a supporting character in another hero’s tale.

The announcement sparked an immediate outcry, as Sabra is unapologetically Israeli (in the comics, she serves for the Mossad) and distinctively Jewish, her uniform adorned with the blue and white pattern and a prominent star of David at its center. The entertainment industry was abuzz with discontent, fearing that such a character would share screen time with their cherished childhood heroes.

Marvel eventually conceded and promised that the character, Ruth Bat-Seraph, would undergo a fresh interpretation, without revealing the specific alterations. Ultimately, in Captain America: Brave New World, the character was reimagined as an Israeli-born, Russian-trained American superagent who dresses in a business suit, making her inconspicuous and blending easily into her surroundings. As Vulture’s Darrin Franich put it, “No one will even remember her.

By allowing the portrayal of the Israeli actress Shira Haas’s character in a Disney-Marvel production to spark theater protests, they may have inadvertently debunked any suggestion that critics are driven by reasons beyond the presence of Israelis worldwide.

Or, more concisely: The protests against the Israeli actress’s role in a Disney-Marvel film might disprove claims that criticism is unrelated to the existence of Israelis globally.

An issue with Sabra’s initial representation by Bill Mantlo in 1981 was that it displayed a prejudiced perspective, suggesting unfairly that Israelis would not coexist peacefully with Arabs. It was also disrespectful to intellectual discourse. Anyone who supports Islamofascism is questionable as a suitable resident, as the events of October 7, 2023 demonstrated, and it appears Donald Trump shares this viewpoint. One can’t help but ponder what Mantlo himself might think about the transformation of his character, if he were well enough to comprehend and express his thoughts on the matter today. Mandel also points out:

Here are a few key points to consider:

1. The comics industry, as we know it today, was significantly shaped by individuals of Jewish descent.
2. Today’s filmmakers who produce movies based on comic-book characters and earn substantial profits from ticket sales and licensing deals are largely building upon the foundations laid by these pioneers of the comics world.
3. It is important to acknowledge that the first comic book, graphic novel, comic book convention, specialty store, and even the underground comics (or ‘Comix’) movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s were largely spearheaded by Jewish creators.
4. Many well-known comic books such as Superman, Spiderman, X-Men, Batman, and even MAD magazine were created by Jews.

Is this the “cultural genocide” I’ve heard so much about from smug college kids? It must be.

It’s surprising if today’s self-righteous college students, who claim to be enlightened, were ever fans of comic books initially created by Jewish authors, given the skepticism that exists now. If Stan Lee were alive today, it’s certain he would face strong rejection from the same audience he once catered to. Even Mantlo, a leftist for his time, might be criticized, regardless of his methods.

If Seth Mandel finds it disheartening that Sabra hasn’t been transformed into a more prestigious symbol, perhaps he should reflect on the fact that it’s even more unfortunate when no comic book creators endeavor to establish a new icon. He might also ponder over the questionable origins of Harley Quinn, initially portrayed in Batman: The Animated Series in 1993, before joining the DC Universe at least six years later. That certainly doesn’t align with what I’d consider a Jewish icon.

On the other hand, if Colossal Boy, who may have been given a Jewish background during the Bronze Age, were to be cast in a movie, one could speculate that his character would likely be simplified by the executive team at Warner Brothers Studios, much like they’ve done with other comic-related content throughout the years. This is just another reason why I believe neither DC nor Marvel should be part of a corporate structure.

In the second week of its release, Captain America: Brave New World has seen a significant decrease, falling approximately 70 percent. According to John Nolte from Breitbart, this is his take on the film’s performance.

This positions the expensive production, estimated to have cost around $350 million, alongside earlier Marvel disappointments such as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. These movies experienced significant drops of 70% and 78% respectively during their second week in cinemas.

It’s clear that the issue at hand is the lack of repeat viewings, which is crucial for a film to achieve box office success, particularly in the case of superhero movies. For instance, Brave New World received a disappointing B- grade from CinemaScore, whereas even Marvel’s lesser-performing films like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and The Eternals garnered a B rating.

Brave New World’s B- is the lowest CinemaScore in Marvel’s two-decade history.

It appears that the individuals who rushed to watch Brave New World during its opening weekend generally didn’t find it very appealing. Given this, it seems unlikely that they would return to see it again.

I found the movie bad to mediocre without a single inspiring moment.

By this coming Monday, Brave New World’s total domestic earnings are expected to be approximately $140 million. This is particularly disappointing given that there hasn’t been significant competition in theaters since Brave New World was released 10 days ago. On the other hand, the fourth installment of the Captain America series might not reach a domestic gross of $200 million and a worldwide gross of $500 million, which would result in a substantial loss for Disney as they need to earn at least $650 million to $750 million just to break even.

As a movie enthusiast, it’s clear that anyone unwilling to take a stand like they have been in this situation risks financial disaster for the film. However, we should also recognize that any talented writer or artist who doesn’t create their own comics featuring Israeli/Jewish characters is missing an opportunity to send powerful and inspiring messages.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I believe that artists from all corners of the world should strive to create content that is unapologetic and brave, while also delivering a positive message. In these challenging times, it’s crucial for us to tackle serious issues head-on, even if we use metaphors to do so. Artists and writers who understand the importance of standing strong against Islamic extremism in popular culture should start working on something bold and impactful. This is my humble contribution as a lover of cinema, urging fellow creatives to make a difference through their work.

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2025-03-01 16:30