Ruth Bat-Seraph Explained: Captain America Hero’s Controversial Comics History And Major MCU Changes

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Warning! This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: Brave New World introduces Ruth Bat-Seraph to the MCU, a character Marvel had to revamp from the comics due to her controversial past. Captain America: Brave New World‘s cast comprises a blend of MCU familiars and newcomers, in both fresh and recurring roles. Anthony Mackie leads the way as Sam Wilson, while Harrison Ford’s recasting as Thunderbolt Ross provides his adversary. Other important players in the film include the returning Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres and Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, complete with MCU newcomer Shira Haas.

By the time of Captain America: Brave New World‘s ending, the film adequately wraps up a standalone adventure for Sam Wilson in his first theatrical outing as the titular hero. As alluded to via the film’s large cast, though, Sam certainly did not overcome the MCU’s Red Hulk villain and its mastermind alone. He was helped by Torres as the new Falcon, but Haas’ Ruth Bat-Seraph was more important than the trailers made her seem. Via some major MCU changes, Marvel Studios sidestepped the characters’ controversial comic history, potentially making her an important part of Sam’s team going forward.

Ruth Bat-Seraph’s Marvel Comics Origin And History Explained

The Divisive Hero Of Sabra Is Part Of The MCU

Firstly, it is worth exploring who Ruth Bat-Seraph is in Marvel Comics. In the source material, Ruth goes by the superhero name Sabra and is a Jewish mutant who was born near Jerusalem. Sabra’s mutant abilities include general superpowered strength, speed, durability, and a strong healing factor, but she also possesses the ability to transfer her powers and life energy to other people. Sabra has not been a major part of Marvel Comics over the years, but she was considered the Israeli equivalent of Captain America, much like Red Guardian was for Russia.

In Marvel Comics, Ruth/Sabra served in the Mossad, Israel’s Secret Service. Since then, she has crossed paths with many heroes, from the Hulk to the X-Men and Captain America himself. Early in Captain America: Brave New World‘s production, it was announced that Israeli actress Shira Haas had been cast as Sabra in the film. This caused some controversy, not solely due to recent world events but also due to the divisiveness that Sabra has caused in Marvel Comics since her induction. As such, Ruth Bat-Seraph has notable differences in Captain America: Brave New World.

Why Marvel Made Ruth A Former Black Widow In The MCU

More Sabra Controversy Was Avoided By Marvel Studios

Given that Haas’ casting as Sabra in the MCU caused criticism, it was quickly unveiled that Marvel Studios would make some changes to her character in Captain America: Brave New World. This was addressed by Variety shortly after Haas’ announcement, with the studio itself telling the outlet that the filmmakers of Captain America 4 were taking a different direction from the version of Sabra that first debuted in the comics. While one Captain America: Brave New World Easter egg references Ruth’s Israeli heritage, this is about as far as the connections go between the MCU character and her comic counterpart.

For one, Ruth Bat-Seraph is not a mutant in Captain America: Brave New World, nor is any history as a Mossad agent mentioned. Instead, Ruth is described as a former Black Widow who was raised in the Red Room, tying her to an integral part of the MCU’s fictional history. The superhero name Sabra is also not utilized in Captain America: Brave New World, with many likely wondering why these changes were made and what controversy Marvel Studios was hoping to sidestep.

The reason Sabra’s debut in Marvel Comics was divisive is the potential implications it had on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has endured for decades. Of course, Marvel Comics folded Sabra into the fictional universe of superheroes and villains without actively commenting on wider sociopolitical aspects, as was the case with many other characters. Nonetheless, an Israeli agent caused some controversy among readers. This controversy has since edged over into the MCU upon Haas’ casting in Captain America: Brave New World, especially due to the escalation of the Israel-Gaza war in recent years.

Naturally, Marvel Studios could not hide from the ongoing controversy this move caused. This resulted in Sabra’s role being massively altered in the MCU, leading to the Red Room changes and the move away from Ruth’s more Israeli-centric comic book storylines. Longtime Marvel producer Nate Moore commented on these changes to Entertainment Weekly shortly before Captain America: Brave New World‘s release, insisting that “there are differences that we have to make because film is different than publishing.”

How Ruth Fits Into The Story Of Captain America: Brave New World

Ruth’s MCU Debut Explained

In light of these changes, then, it is worth exploring exactly how Ruth fits into the story of Captain America: Brave New World. Ruth is absent from much of the film’s first act yet is introduced later as the head of security for President Thaddeus Ross. At first, Ruth acts as an adversary to Sam and Joaquin as the former wishes to simply do her job and protect the President, no matter who has to be imprisoned to achieve this. In Captain America: Brave New World‘s case, this unfortunate prisoner becomes the mind-controlled Isaiah Bradley.

This puts Ruth at odds with Sam, who knows someone else is behind the scenes and framing Bradley. Eventually, Ruth comes to realize that Sam is correct, as she aids him and Joaquin in uncovering the master plan created by Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader who returns in Captain America 4 from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. For the remainder of the film, Ruth remains an ally to Sam as the two try to stop a world war from breaking out thanks to The Leader’s machinations.

Will Ruth Return In The MCU?

Ruth’s MCU Future Remains In Question

As of Captain America: Brave New World‘s ending, the main question left surrounding Ruth is whether she will have a future in the MCU. Admittedly, it seems unlikely that Ruth will be utilized in other movies going forward. The reason for this stems from the controversy that ensued after Marvel Studios attempted to adapt the character, which resulted in the drastic changes to her comic book story being implemented.

Also, from a storytelling perspective, the film does not lay many seeds that hint at Ruth’s return. Some MCU cameos in Captain America: Brave New World hint at an exciting future, but it is hard to imagine Ruth being part of it. If she ever does return though, it would likely be in another Sam Wilson-led Captain America movie, given their history as enemies-to-allies in Captain America: Brave New World. Whether Marvel would revert the changes made to Ruth Bat-Seraph or keep developing the new MCU continuity established remains to be seen, but Ruth’s franchise future is certainly in doubt.

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“}]] The MCU makes changes to a divisive comic hero.  Read More