MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Did Disney force Mark Ruffalo to apologize? Actor suffered 'spinal collapse' over Israel tweets, say fans

It's not clear which tweet the actor was apologizing for, but Ruffalo has posted several times in recent weeks about the conflict to his more than 7.5 million followers on Twitter

After actor Mark Ruffalo backtracked his comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict on Monday, May 24, many people on social media began wondering if the 'Avenger' star had been forced by Disney -- which owns Marvel Studios -- to issue an apology.

"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," Ruffalo said in a tweet. Soon enough, the internet unleashed a wide range of memes and criticisms, many insinuating that Ruffalo was mollifying Disney, which bankrolls the Avenger movies in which he plays Hulk.

READ MORE

Mark Ruffalo slammed after he apologizes for suggesting Israel committed genocide: 'You're part of the problem'

What is Mark Ruffalo's religion? Actor apologizes for suggesting Israel committed 'genocide': 'Just shut up'

It's not clear which tweet the actor was apologizing for, but Ruffalo has posted several times in recent weeks about the conflict to his more than 7.5 million followers on Twitter.

Replying to the apology, one commented, "Breaking: Disney announces new standalone Hulk movie, Ruffalo to become the new face of the MCU So disappointed. You had it right the first time." Another asked, "Did disney yell at you marky boy." A third said, "Disney probably told him to take it back."

The next added, "Disney + 1 Mark Ruffalo's conscience 0." One more said, "That Disney cheque was awaiting signature I guess." Another quipped, "When you see celebrities like Mark Ruffalo spontaneously suffering spinal collapse after calling out the Israeli military genocide of Palestine, sometimes it's because your boss is Disney, with whom the US military partners and approves for onscreen assets."

A commenter tweeted, "Someone got a phone call from Disney apparently." Another chimed in with, "Mark blink twice if Disney is holding you at gunpoint." One more wrote, "Disney keeping things on brand." Making a reference to Ruffalo's character in MCU, one more noted, "HULK UNDERSTAND POWER OF BIG DISNEY PAYCHECK." A person reacted with, "Mark Ruffalo has absolutely shat the bed. Disney must have threatened to knock a 0 off his contract." Another said, "Disney and marvel execs-'you wanna keep being the Hulk? Mark Ruffalo - 'Um..Yeah.' Disney and marvel execs- 'you have to apologize' Ruffalo - would you like that on camera or is a tweet okay?"

What did Ruffalo originally tweet?

Recently, along with sharing a Bernie Sanders tweet about “understanding the war”, the actor wrote: “Bernie points out the depth of the problem and the beginning and end of the problem here. We need full equality and human rights for the Palestinian people to stop the rise of extremism on both sides. #PalestiniansLivesMatter.”

He had retweeted several posts related to the conflict after breaking his silence on the matter in a tweet from May 15. His tweet read: “Over 30 children killed. Mothers dead. Hundreds injured. We are on the brink of a full-scale war. Sanctions on South Africa helped free its Black people – it’s time for sanctions on Israel to free Palestinians. Join the call.” Mark also used the hashtag “Gaza Under Attack.”

On May 17, Ruffalo also shared a thread and noted: “Must read thread to get a nuanced read on Jewish/ Israeli identity and how it relates to criticism of actions taken by Isreal, and the extreme charge of anti-semitism for it.” The actor also tweeted out to President Joe Biden on May 18 and asked him to take necessary actions regarding the conflict in the Middle East. His tweet read: “Please @JoeBiden please join the world community and bipartisan leaders here in calling for a #CeasefireNOW in the ongoing, deadly and meaningless conflict happening in Israel and Palestine. The world needs your leadership.”

Ruffalo has joked about Disney firing him

In a 2020 interview with Variety, Ruffalo noted how lucky he was to play Hulk. The actor said it was so unbelievable that he had to constantly remind himself of that when he's shooting a Marvel film. The actor said whenever he got annoyed on the sets when things were taking too long, he told himself, "Hey, remember you're not even supposed to be here." He added that he's afraid that his bosses are "going to throw me out of the club. I never belonged here in the first place and they're all going to find out." 

Disney has not made any statement on the conflict in the Middle East.