The film company Marvel has made a remarkable change in its own mythology ahead of the upcoming "Captain America: Brave New World" film.
The Israeli superhero agent Sabra (played by Shira Haas) is described in the series as an agent for the intelligence agency Mossad. When it was announced two years ago that Sabra would appear in the film, there were cheers from Israel, as well as criticism from Palestinians, who started the hashtag #Captainapartheid.
Ahead of the film version, Marvel has now changed Sabra's backstory, and instead describes her as a "high-ranking government official in the American government", reports New York Times.
According to Marvel, the filmmakers want to "use a new approach for the character" but did not elaborate further. It is still uncertain whether she will be portrayed as born in Israel.
The decision has received strong criticism from Israeli media and American-Jewish groups. The American-Jewish Committee wrote on social media that "Sabra is a proud Israeli hero and should be portrayed as such. Removing such a central part of her identity is like making Captain America Canadian".
"Captain America: Brave New World" is expected to premiere in February 2025.
