Celebrity / Movies / TV

Actor Chris Pratt had the support of his fellow MCU stars after he trended on Twitter. Learn why this was different from Emily VanCamp's experience.

Published on October 21, 2020

Marvel Cinematic Universe star Chris Pratt was the subject of some controversy on social media in October 2020. But he’s far from the first Marvel actor to deal with online abuse. His Everwood co-star Emily VanCamp, also a member of the MCU, has faced her share of internet negativity. Here’s why some call the response to Pratt a double standard in comparison.

Chris Pratt and Emily VanCamp starred in ‘Everwood’

Pratt and VanCamp met on the set of the WB drama series Everwood. They portrayed siblings Amy and Bright Abbott, two residents of the titular town who befriend its new inhabitants, the Brown family. The series ran for four seasons, from 2002-2006, ending when the WB became the CW.

Though they were brother and sister on Everwood, Pratt and VanCamp had a different kind of relationship off-screen. The pair began dating in 2004, after a couple of years of working with one another. Their relationship caused controversy because VanCamp was 17 when they got together. They broke up in 2006 or 2007.

VanCamp joined the MCU in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

Years later, VanCamp joined the MCU. The first portrayed Sharon Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Sharon befriends her neighbor, Steve Rogers, only to eventually reveal to him that she’s a SHIELD agent — as well as the great-niece of his 1940s love interest, Peggy Carter. VanCamp also appeared in Captain America: Civil War.

Another MCU film was released in 2014, this one starring Pratt. Guardians of the Galaxy introduced his Marvel character, Peter Quill (aka Star-Lord), an Earth-born man living in space who teams up with a group of misfits to secure an Infinity Stone. Pratt followed this film up with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Pratt’s Marvel co-stars defended him

In October 2020, a Twitter game got Pratt’s name trending. As users shared information about him, from his tied to the anti-LGBTQ Hillsong Church to his possible support of the Republican party, his co-stars in the MCU, from Mark Ruffalo to Zoe Saldana, fiercely defended him. This hit some fans the wrong way.

“Emily VanCamp was getting daily death threats but that’s just business as usual for women but sure plenty of people who have gone to homophobic churches have turned out to be decent people huh,” wrote one Twitter user. The threats to VanCamp came after her character shared a kiss with Steve, having nothing to do with VanCamp herself.

Both actors have a future in MCU

When fans come out against a particular actor, it can mean the studio has to make a decision. Both Pratt and VanCamp are tied to properties moving forward, meaning that Marvel will likely do what it needs to protect them. Pratt’s set to star in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, thus the support from his fellow actors.

With a renewed focus on other MCU stars who have dealt with negativity online, it will be interesting to see if Marvel addresses what VanCamp faced during promotion for the upcoming Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, in which she’ll return as Sharon Carter. VanCamp finished filming on the series in September 2020.

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