The Marvel star joined Tatiana Maslany in condemning Disney, accusing the company of censorship and betraying artistic freedom amid growing Hollywood backlash.

Actor Mark Ruffalo, known worldwide for his role as the Hulk in Marvel’s blockbuster film franchise, has issued a strong warning to The Walt Disney Company,

cautioning that the entertainment giant’s stock value could suffer significant declines if it proceeds with the permanent cancellation of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* on ABC.

His comments add to the growing chorus of criticism from Hollywood stars, political figures, and free speech advocates who are pressuring Disney to reverse course after the late-night talk show was abruptly suspended earlier this month.

The controversy began when ABC, citing pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and several powerful local affiliate owners, pulled *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* from the air.

The suspension came on the heels of Kimmel’s controversial remarks regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose death in mid-September had already intensified political tensions nationwide.

The network initially described the move as a temporary pause aimed at defusing what it called “a highly emotional and sensitive national moment.” Yet as the days stretched on, speculation mounted that the program could face outright cancellation.

Ruffalo’s warning came during a panel discussion in Los Angeles, where he was promoting an upcoming independent film. When asked about the future of Kimmel’s program, the actor did not mince words. “Disney needs to be very careful here,” Ruffalo said.

“If they cancel *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, their stock is going to fall a lot further than they think. People are fed up with corporate censorship. Fans, artists, and investors are watching this very closely, and trust me—this will hurt their bottom line.”

His comments were echoed by Tatiana Maslany, another actor associated with Marvel’s Hulk legacy through her role in Disney+’s *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*.

Maslany had previously criticized Disney’s decision to preempt Kimmel’s show, calling it “a betrayal of the very values Marvel claims to stand for—truth, courage, and speaking up against corruption.”

With both stars publicly taking aim at their parent company, Disney now finds itself facing an internal storm from within one of its most valuable franchises.

Financial analysts have also taken note of the backlash. Disney’s stock, already under pressure due to broader economic conditions and investor concerns over its streaming business, dipped another 2.5 percent on Friday following Ruffalo’s remarks.

While some attributed the decline to market fluctuations, others pointed to mounting uncertainty about how Disney is managing its entertainment assets in an era of fierce public scrutiny.

“The optics of silencing one of late-night television’s most established voices while claiming to defend free expression elsewhere in the company’s portfolio are not good,” said one media industry analyst.

The controversy has spilled beyond Hollywood into the political arena. Several Democratic lawmakers criticized the suspension of Kimmel’s program, framing it as an erosion of free speech in the face of political and corporate pressure.

At the same time, conservative commentators have accused Kimmel and other late-night hosts of going too far in their ridicule of political opponents.

The dual pressures have left Disney in an increasingly untenable position, trying to balance its reputation as a politically neutral entertainment provider while navigating the realities of America’s polarized climate.

Behind the scenes, discussions reportedly continue between ABC executives and Kimmel’s representatives about how to handle the fallout.

While Kimmel has remained largely silent publicly, sources close to the comedian suggest he has little interest in returning unless the network affirms its commitment to allowing him to speak freely on air.

“Jimmy has been through controversies before, but this is different,” one insider said. “He feels like the principle of free speech is at stake here, not just his show.”

The uproar has sparked larger debates in the entertainment industry about the role of comedians and the boundaries of satire.

Late-night television has long been a platform for social and political commentary, with hosts like Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers often serving as de facto critics of those in power.

By pulling one of its leading programs in response to political sensitivity, critics argue, Disney risks setting a precedent that could chill free expression across the industry.

Ruffalo, who has frequently used his platform to advocate for environmental and social justice causes, tied his warning directly to this larger concern. “We’re talking about a company that built its empire on imagination and storytelling,” he said.

“And yet here they are, silencing one of their most important storytellers because a few people in power didn’t like what he had to say. That’s not leadership. That’s cowardice. And investors aren’t going to reward cowardice.”

The stakes are high for Disney, which is juggling multiple challenges. Its streaming platforms—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—have faced slowing subscriber growth, while its film division has seen mixed results at the box office.

Adding to the strain are ongoing calls from some activists and celebrities to boycott Disney products and services in protest of what they view as censorship.

Hashtags urging consumers to cancel their Disney+ subscriptions have trended intermittently on social media since the suspension was announced.

For ABC, the loss of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* would mark the end of a late-night era. The program, which premiered in 2003, has won multiple Emmy Awards and consistently attracted high-profile guests ranging from A-list actors to sitting presidents.

Beyond its entertainment value, the show has served as a cultural barometer, shaping national conversations through its comedic lens. Its absence has already left a noticeable gap in ABC’s lineup, with reruns and filler content struggling to capture the same audience numbers.

As Disney weighs its next steps, pressure from within Hollywood and beyond continues to mount.

Ruffalo’s warning, amplified by his status as a Marvel icon, underscores the unique bind facing the company: balancing corporate caution with artistic freedom in a moment when both investors and audiences are demanding clarity.

Whether Disney heeds his advice or charts a different course remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—the decision will reverberate far beyond late-night television.

For now, viewers, investors, and industry insiders alike are watching closely. If *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* is permanently canceled, the fallout could reshape not only ABC’s late-night strategy but also Disney’s reputation as one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies.

And as Ruffalo warned, the financial consequences could be just as dramatic as the cultural ones.