With the anticipated release of Black Panther 2 inching closer with each passing day, alleged frontrunner Letitia Wright garnered astounding criticism and backlash for a problematic stance detailed by her back in 2020, with its aftermath and repercussions haunting the actress in the years to follow.
Even recently, when Wright opened up about her genuine feelings towards Chadwick Boseman, and how she wishes to make the late actor proud, several people on the Internet were quick to refute her seemingly heartfelt attempts, hailing such statements as a “coverup” for her controversies.
However, some fans were quick to come to her defense. They pointed out how the majority of the masses were quick to jump on the condemnation bandwagon when it came to Letitia Wright but failed to put up the same front when it concerned Ant-Man star Evangeline Lilly – who happens to be loud and proud about the same opinions the former actress has been admonished for.
The Differing Fandom Treatment Towards Letitia Wright And Evangeline Lilly
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’d be well aware by now that Letitia Wright was associated with a string of controversies plaguing her reputation which almost damaged Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A short recap for the otherwise oblivious lot – in 2020, the young talent had publicly shared a YouTube video on Twitter that detailed skepticism surrounding Covid-19 vaccines. In an attempt to explain her motives, the actress simply wanted to “ask” what’s in the vaccines.
In a later statement, expressing apologetic sentiments, Wright claimed of wanting to “raise concern” towards what humans put in their bodies. The backlash reached its penultimate point when the MCU star decided to deactivate her Twitter account.
In 2021, other complications arose. Media reports detailed how Wright was not vaccinated, despite stringent U.S. guidelines and protocols demanding so out of civilians. When she got injured, she headed back home. However, the murky and dubious nature of her return to the states to continue the Black Panther 2 production set the fans’ rage ablaze. Since then, the young star has become an element of ridicule and suspicion.
Fans on Twitter recently stated that while the initial criticism was justified, there’s an astounding difference in the approach taken by the majority of the fandom towards Wright in comparison to the treatment of Ant-Man actress Evangeline Lilly.
Evangeline Lilly’s Uber-Controversial Opinions
Earlier this year, in January, Evangeline Lilly who plays the role of Hope van Dyne/Wasp in the MCU Ant-Man canon, took to Instagram to speak against the Covid-19 vaccination mandates. According to the post, she attended a Washington D.C. protest to support “bodily sovereignty.” Furthermore, she emphasized how people should not be “forced to inject their body with anything” under any circumstance whatsoever.
She also detailed the following:
“This is not the way. This is not safe. This is not healthy. This is not love. I understand the world is in fear, but I don’t believe that answering fear with force will fix our problems. I was pro-choice before COVID and I am still pro-choice today.”
Earlier in 2020, the actress had also faced scalding disapproval when she stated that she refuses to self-quarantine or maintain social distance. She had later, however, apologized, claiming to have projected her “fears” amidst a life-threatening scenario.
Such a convoluted series of events has now once again been brought to public light, as fans claim the mistreatment of Letitia Wright is rooted in inherent racism. While many wish to see Lilly take accountability, others reprimand the constant jokes and harassment targeted at Wright.
Fans’ Opinions On The Matter
While many believe that the Ant-Man actress has received her fair share of criticism, the scale at which the same occurred with the Black Panther alum was somewhat drastic. Some on the other hand seem to believe that the two received equal berating from the audience – Wright simply decided to stay silent on the matter, whereas Lilly chose to double down.
Others affirm that it’s ridiculous to see two rising MCU stars spread irresponsible information amongst young, impressionable audiences.
Check out what most of the fans had to say about the complex, scandalous matter:
Evangeline was actually out here going to anti-vax protests and shit
— T'Challa Stan (@KhameekJ03) July 29, 2022
Evangeline was protesting with literal nazis and doesn't even get an ounce of hate Letitia gets
— 💜🇭🇹 (@Messsymesh) July 29, 2022
Somewhere in the afterlife, Chadwick Boseman, who filmed all of his final roles while immunocompromised with cancer, is shaking his head in frustration at Evangeline Lilly and Letitia Wright being against the COVID-19 vaccine and its various mandates.
— Nico Starheart, The Dragon Artiste 🐉🎨 (@NicoStarheart) January 27, 2022
The humor is not lost on me Evangeline Lily and Letitia Wright play women of SCIENCE in the MCU.
— RICKY (@Rickyismsss) January 27, 2022
I think they both caught their fair share. Letitia just left social media and Lilly doubled down
— TJ (@_oddmanout) August 11, 2022
Funny how MCU fans don't fill these comments with Vaccine jokes despite Evangeline Lily protesting against the vaccine with Nazis. If this was Letitia wright they would he all up on her…. it's qwhite interesting honestly https://t.co/oAxN7NrfuH
— 💜 (@Cityof_me) July 28, 2022
As more people band together to raise a voice against the partial treatment of the two, it is important to note that statements that have the potential to lead people into jeopardy should be scrutinized — irrespective of who it is. While the controversies and criticisms directed at both Wright and Lilly are yet to subdue, it would be interesting to see the approach Marvel takes when it comes to the future of the characters played by the two.
While Letitia Wright is set to make her appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever which is slated for a November 11th, 2022 release, Evangeline Lilly is scheduled to return in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, making its way to the big screen on 17 February 2023.
Source: Twitter
