Over the weekend, several prominent Marvel actors joined nationwide demonstrations known as the “No Kings Day” protests — a coordinated political campaign designed to publicly oppose President Donald Trump. The protests featured Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo, Spider-Man actress Marisa Tomei, Thunderbolts actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and even Guardians of the Galaxy star Glenn Close.
Mark Ruffalo speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Thor: Ragnarok” Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Organized to frame Trump’s governing style as authoritarian, the protests drew thousands across the country. Ruffalo was photographed marching in New York City beside Susan Sarandon, holding an American flag and wearing a hat labeled “Immigrant.”
Speaking to MSNBC during the event, the Avengers actor invoked the name of the Avengers in , “We see our democracy is in real trouble. We see a president who has made himself a king and dictator, and we don’t see an opposition that’s powerful enough to stand up against the trampling of our rights and the trampling of the Constitution… we’re going to have to be brave if we want to be free. Literally, together, we’re the Avengers now.”
Mark Ruffalo made an embarrassing appearance at the ‘No Kings’ protests this past weekend where he spouted the same uninspiring lies that lost Democrats the presidency.
Just goes to show you that the political bubble of liberal Hollywood’s ignorance has only gotten thicker. pic.twitter.com/glbHRgqzVf
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 17, 2025
Ruffalo also characterized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a dictator alongside Vladamir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as seen in the video above. Of course there was, conveniently, no mention of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who rules over a country where Marvel movies rely on hefty box office returns.
Ruffalo’s comments are far from subtle. Comparing the sitting President of the United States to a dictator and framing himself as part of a resistance movement while tying a Disney-owned IP into his rhetoric is an aggressive political statement — but one that has come with no professional consequence. Ruffalo continues to appear in Disney’s Marvel branding and upcoming projects, including a rumored major role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with no indication of reprimand.
The Thunderbolts uniting in Marvel’s Thunderbolts – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
He’s not alone. Thunderbolts actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus carried a protest sign that read, “The only monarch I like is a butterfly.” Marisa Tomei, who played Aunt May in the Sony Marvel Spider-Man movies marched with other activists in Los Angeles. Glenn Close even posted video of herself demonstrating in Montana.
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“It’s the calm, unified PRESENCE of MILLIONS of Americans who refuse to let our beloved, magnificent country be sold out to the wannabe KING/OLIGARCH and his RUTHLESS, cruel, scheming puppeteers,” she said.
Again, none of these actresses have faced public pushback or corporate response from Disney, Marvel Studios, or their talent representation.
(L_R): Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) and Cara Dune (Gina Carano) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
Now contrast that to the case of Gina Carano.
The Mandalorian actress was fired from Star Wars in 2021 after sharing a social media post that warned about the dangers of political dehumanization. She had previously drawn attention online for refusing to include pronouns in her Twitter bio — opting instead for a comedic placeholder referencing droids.
That decision alone triggered significant backlash on social media. But it was her historical analogy post — which did not name any specific modern figures — that led Lucasfilm to label her content “abhorrent and unacceptable” and announce she was “not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future.”
The infamous Instagram post that led to the firing of Gina Carano – Instagram
Carano’s firing was immediate. Her character, Cara Dune, was removed from all marketing and her toy line was quietly pulled from shelves. No interview. No second chances. No latitude for personal views.
It’s a glaring double standard. Public figures like Ruffalo can accuse a sitting president of being a “king” and “dictator,” participate in large-scale protests, and align themselves with anti-government rhetoric while directly tying Disney IP’s into statements and face no fallout from Disney or its subsidiaries.
Mark Ruffalo on X
Meanwhile, Carano was terminated over a single post with no public platform to explain or respond.
Disney, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm have never explained the inconsistency. The apparent message? Political speech is tolerated — as long as it fits the studio’s preferred narrative.
Carano is currently suing Disney for wrongful termination and discrimination, and these clips of Marvel actors at the No Kings Day protests could make for some spicy exhibits presented by her legal team.
Gina Carano is Cara Dune in THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+.
For a company that insists it values “inclusion,” the treatment of Gina Carano raises legitimate concerns about fairness, free expression, and whether some voices in Hollywood are simply more protected than others.
How do you feel about Marvel actors like Mark Ruffalo participating in the No Kings Day protests? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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