Disney Faces Boycott Pressure as Marvel Stars Join Calls to Cancel Subscriptions Over Jimmy Kimmel Controversy
LOS ANGELES – september 20, 2025 – A growing chorus of Marvel actors are amplifying calls for a boycott of Disney+ and other disney-owned platforms following the fallout from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s recent controversial monologue and subsequent firing.The escalating dispute centers on concerns over potential government overreach into free speech, sparked by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s suggestion that Disney should face scrutiny for employing Kimmel.
The controversy began after Kimmel made remarks perceived as critical of a prominent conservative figure, leading to widespread outrage and demands for his removal. While Kimmel was ultimately fired, Carr indicated he would pursue further action, suggesting the FCC could investigate Disney’s licensing based on the content aired. This prompted a backlash from both sides of the political spectrum, with some conservatives celebrating Kimmel’s dismissal but voicing alarm over potential government censorship. the situation has ignited a debate about the limits of free speech and the role of regulatory bodies in policing content. Disney, already navigating a challenging media landscape, now faces a potential financial hit as subscribers heed boycott calls.
Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the senate Commerce Committee, wich has jurisdiction over the FCC, sharply criticized Carr’s remarks as “perilous as hell,” warning against a future where the government can influence broadcast networks’ content. ”I hate what Jimmy Kimmel said. I am thrilled that he was fired,” Cruz said Friday on his podcast. “But let me tell you, if the government gets in the business of saying, ’We don’t like what you, the media, have said, we’re going to ban you from the airwaves if you don’t say what we like’-that will end up bad for conservatives.”
Several prominent Marvel actors have publicly voiced support for the boycott, sharing messages on social media encouraging fans to cancel their Disney+ subscriptions. While specific subscription numbers impacted by the boycott are not yet available, industry analysts predict a potential decline in viewership if the controversy continues to escalate. carr told CNBC that “we’re not done yet.”
The debate extends beyond Kimmel’s specific case, raising broader questions about the future of free speech in the media and the potential for political interference in content creation. The FCC’s role and its authority to regulate content based on viewpoint remain central to the ongoing discussion.
