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He mentioned that the American Dream—living freely and doing whatever one desires—was part of the character's broader theme but without direct ties to America as a nation. This nuanced distinction ignited immediate backlash, as many viewers and fans perceived that Mackey was distancing the character from its patriotic roots and, by extension, from America itself.
The Immediate Damage Control and Clarification
Understandably, the backlash escalated rapidly. Critics accused Mackey of undermining the character’s traditional identity, and calls for boycotts emerged almost instantly. Marvel executives reportedly intervened, requiring Mackey to clarify his stance publicly.