Robert Downey Jr.,Mark Ruffalo,Zoe Saldana,Jeremy Renner, and directorJames Gunn are among the Marvel stars who have stepped forward to defendChris Pratt after the actor experienced backlash and criticism online for his perceived conservative political views.

“The ‘sinless’ are casting stones at my brother, Chris Pratt,” Downeywrote Thursday on Instagram, in a post that was endorsed by Renner. “A real Christian who lives by principle, has never demonstrated anything but positivity and gratitude... AND he just married into a family that makes space for civil discourse and (just plain fact) INSISTS on service as the highest value. If you take issue with Chris... I’ve got a novel idea. Delete your social media accounts, sit with your OWN defects of character, work on THEM, then celebrate your humanness.”

On Twitter, Ruffaloadded that Pratt “is as solid a man there is. I know him personally, and instead of casting aspersions, look at how he lives his life. He is just not overtly political as a rule. This is a distraction. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize, friends. We are so close now.”

Gunn, who directed Pratt in twoGuardians of the Galaxy films,wrote, “Please stop assuming what he believes, politically or in any other way, because he’s a Christian.”

Guardians of the Galaxy star Saldana alsolent her support to Pratt, quoting the late Tupac Shakur in the process. “No matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it,” she wrote on Twitter, citing Shakur. “You got this... Your family, friends, colleagues & everyone who’s ever crossed paths with you knows your heart and your worth!”

EvenJosh Gad, who has not yet appeared in a Marvel film but frequently works with parent company Disney, endorsed Pratt on social media.

The controversy started last weekend, when Pratt became a trending topic on Twitter after filmmakerAmy Bergtweeted a prompt that asked her followers which Hollywood actor named Chris had “to go”: Pratt,Chris Evans,Chris Hemsworth, orChris Pine. Pratt was the overwhelming choice—and that was before severalAvengers cast members announced they would appear at anevent supportingJoe Biden and his running mate, SenatorKamala Harris. Pratt did not participate in the fundraiser, an absence that further fueled flames online about his potential political allegiances.

But Pratt has never expressed public support for any political party (although hereportedly donated money to former PresidentBarack Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012 and to Hawaii congresswomanTulsi Gabbard’s failed presidential run last year). In 2017, as part of a cover story forMen’s Journal, the actor expressed unease about political discourse. “I really feel there’s common ground out there that’s missed because we focus on the things that separate us. You’re either the red state or the blue state, the left or the right. Not everything is politics,” hesaid. During that same interview, Pratt claimed he did not feel “represented by either side.” But, he added, “I do feel like I relate to everybody—to the struggles of people both out here and where I grew up. I feel like I could have a beer or a meal with just about anyone and find something to relate to.”

Pratt’s ideology came under scrutiny again last year, after he discussed hisfaith onThe Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Afterwards, the actor wascalled out byEllen Page for his purported ties to a church that held anti-gay views. (Pratt’s church, Zoe Church, wasinspired by Hillsong Church, which hasexpressed anti-gay views.) 

“It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which ‘hates a certain group of people’ and is ‘infamously anti-LGBTQ,’” Prattwrote in defense of his parish. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone. Despite what the Bible says about divorce my church community was there for me every step of the way [when Pratt split from actressAnna Faris], never judging, just gracefully accompanying me on my walk. They helped me tremendously offering love and support. It is what I have seen them do for others on countless occasions regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender.”

As Downey mentioned, Pratt’s personal life has also led to speculation about his politics. Last year, Pratt marriedKatherine Swarzenegger, daughter ofArnold Schwarzenegger, a long-time Republican. But despite her father’s history of conservative politics, Katherine recently came out insupport of Biden. She also defended Pratt on Instagram this week,writing in response to an E! News story on the supposed Chris Wars, “Is this really what we need? There’s so much going on in the world and people struggling in so many ways. Being mean is so yesterday. There’s enough room to love all these guys. Love is what we all need not meanness and bullying. Let’s try that.”

Response to the Marvel stars rallying around Pratt was mixed, with somecriticizing the group for not extending the same courtesy to the franchise’s female stars, particularlyBrie Larson. The Oscar-winning actress wasattacked by online trolls before the release of 2019’sCaptain Marvel for, among other things,speaking out against sexism in the industry. Last year, after a body language readerclaimed Larson was trying to show up her male stars during a press junket,Don Cheadle ripped the video and came to Larson’s defense. Cheadle, who participated in the Biden-Harris fundraiser, has not commented on Pratt just yet.

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