In recent years, a handful of MCU heroes has had to face a hot mob of angry social media users over their online manners that didn’t meet the standards of the so-called cancel culture. Letitia Wright was wrestled for a single offhand tweet that suggested she was against vaccinating for COVID-19, then Elizabeth Olsen took down her Instagram after an online horde heckled her for not posting about Chadwick Boseman’s passing, and vowed never to return.
Even Mark Ruffalo had to say sorry when he ruffled some feathers online after backpedaling with his comments about the dire situation in Israel — and he’s the Hulk.
I have reflected & wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing “genocide”. It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful & is being used to justify antisemitism here & abroad. Now is the time to avoid hyperbole.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 25, 2021
Now, the bullseye is on the back of Falcon and The Winter Soldier star Sebastian Stan. The MCU’s Bucky Barnes recently trended on Twitter with the dull #RIPSebastianStan hashtag for apparently liking a tweet that showed a guy saying that Caucasian people should be allowed to say the “n” word a couple of weeks ago, an act that’s been construed as condoning racist behavior.
so sebastian stan liked a video about a guy saying that white people should be allowed to say the n word ? pic.twitter.com/YhlreO8vmJ
— atlas / jace (@vesselbower) May 30, 2021
The way that I can't mind my own business on Tumblr because I find out that Sebastian Stan decided to like (agree with) a video of a white man saying the n word with his whole chest, shortly after he got dragged for his racist Take A Knee meme. Can't make this shit up. pic.twitter.com/n5qlnVVpC3
— Walter De Ville's Fifth Wife (@his_nightmare_) May 26, 2021
Sebastian Stan liked this post about how whites people should be allowed to say the n word when singing or rapping along to a song??? HOW ARE PEOPLE DEFENDING THIS?? 2017 WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO!!! JUST SAY HES RACIST AND GO!! https://t.co/BVAXn4vUxZ
— ? ? (@selxperrie) May 27, 2021
It really hurts me to say this. I loved him a lot as an actor but I can’t condone someone’s problematic, racist and it even sounds to be pedophilic behavior. I will no longer be stanning #SebastianStan for this reason. pic.twitter.com/dhjSv1rMet
— midnights mads (@tisthedamnmads) May 29, 2021
I've been following Sebastian Stan's career since 2006, until today he was one of my favorite western actors, but I can't tolerate anyone who thinks it's funny when a white guy uses the N word in a joke. It's f*cking 2021 and no one gets to play the uneducated card anymore.
— Lucy ??. (@seohanlix) May 27, 2021
you guys realize just because sebastian stan is friends with anthony mackie doesn’t mean he’s not racist, y’all do the most to defend him ?
— adri (@adrimaymas) May 30, 2021
As critics came, so did Stan’s loyal supporters, who took online their observation that all the online scorn has made the actor look more fatigued. During a digital chat hosted by Variety for a panel that also included Marvel co-stars Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, and Tom Hiddleston, Stan looked noticeably weary and withered, his face palpably looking lankier.
Responding to queries about his current life and his recent online fiasco, Stan said: “I’m just trying to kind of like still have some sort of life I guess, without someone commenting on it.”
His comment, paired with his concerning look, caused fans to pour some love and positivity toward Stan.
That damn smile. That damn smoulder. That MAN. #imasimp #iknowme #SebastianStan #WeLoveSebastianStan #imsoft https://t.co/KrrNi8MTDa
— ????Amanda???? (@AnxiousBuckyDoe) June 12, 2021
As he should. Sebastian deserves love and happiness. #WeLoveSebastianStan https://t.co/EtpaFRyQz5
— Social Distance Ninja (@Buckysmiles) June 10, 2021
I can’t be the only one worried about #SebastianStan after seeing that @Variety panel. All this toxic behaviour needs to STOP!! You hide behind your phones writing whatever the hell you want. You don’t realise your actions have a real effect on people, often for the worse.
— Jessica Holden-Cook (@jholdencook) June 10, 2021
I just wanna put something out there. Sebastian Stan is like the person keeping me going rn and on the variety talk yesterday he said something that broke my heart. You could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes that he’s hurt by his so called ‘fans’ trying to cancel him..
— Joke Van Schelvergem (@jokevs_) June 10, 2021
Everyone please read this. I love you Sebastian. So fucking much. Stay strong ?? #SebastianStan #WeLoveSebastianStan pic.twitter.com/CuARb9sXMb
— Seb Stan • Pam and Tommy Era (@tjhammondseb) June 12, 2021
Whether you agree with these celebrities’ stances or not, cancel culture is definitely here to stay and to keep an eye out for erring actors — even if they’re one of the World’s Mightiest Heroes.