The entertainment world continues to buzz with reactions following ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! And now, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars is making his stance crystal clear. Pedro Pascal, the beloved actor behind hit shows like “The Mandalorian” and upcoming Marvel projects, has stepped forward to defend Jimmy Kimmel in what many are calling a bold move.
On Thursday (September 18, 2025), Pascal took to Instagram to share his support for the embattled late-night host. The post featured a throwback photo of Pascal wearing a striking “Adult Content” t-shirt during his March 24 appearance on Kimmel’s show. But it wasn’t just the image that caught attention – it was Pascal’s powerful caption that really made waves.
“Standing with you @jimmykimmellive Defend #FreeSpeech Defend #DEMOCRACY,” Pascal wrote, making his position unmistakably clear. The post quickly gained traction across social media, with fans praising the actor for speaking out during such a turbulent time.
What makes Pascal’s defense particularly noteworthy is his deep connection to Disney. The actor recently starred in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and is set to appear in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. He’s also the face of The Mandalorian & Grogu film, making him one of Disney’s most valuable assets. Yet despite these lucrative ties, Pascal didn’t hesitate to defend Kimmel against his own employer’s decision.
Meanwhile, the suspension itself has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. ABC announced the indefinite preemption of Kimmel’s show following controversial remarks about the death of Charlie Kirk. The decision came after pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who suggested Disney could face action if it failed to respond to the situation.
Pascal isn’t alone in his support. Several other Marvel stars have joined the chorus of voices defending Kimmel. Tatiana Maslany, who starred in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, urged her Instagram followers to “cancel your Disney+, Hulu, ESPN subscriptions!” Similarly, Mark Ruffalo participated in online events, stating that “My industry doesn’t really understand what’s happening right now, but what they do understand is our freedom of speech is being attacked.”
However, Pascal’s approach differs slightly from some of his Marvel colleagues. While he’s vocally defended Kimmel and labeled the situation concerning, he has stopped short of calling for an outright boycott of Disney services. This measured response reflects the delicate balance many Disney-contracted stars face when addressing their employer’s controversial decisions.
The timing of Pascal’s support is particularly significant. Just hours before ABC’s announcement, producers had been working on upcoming episodes, scheduling guests, and coordinating with publicists. The sudden nature of the suspension caught everyone off guard, including industry insiders who were blindsided by the decision.
Other high-profile figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Damon Lindelof, who had previously been attached to a Star Wars project for Disney and Lucasfilm, said he was “shocked, saddened and infuriated” by the news and stated he “can’t in good conscience work for the company” that imposed the suspension unless it’s lifted.
The situation has created an unprecedented scenario where some of Disney’s biggest stars are publicly criticizing their employer. Guilds have reacted with fervor, with writers and actors protesting at the Disney lot in Burbank. This level of internal pushback is rarely seen in Hollywood, especially from talent with ongoing contracts and future projects at stake.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Pascal’s defense of Kimmel demonstrates that even lucrative Disney contracts won’t silence some stars when they believe fundamental principles are at stake. Whether this support will influence Disney’s ultimate decision regarding Kimmel’s return remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Pascal and his fellow Marvel stars aren’t backing down from this fight
The entertainment industry now watches closely to see how Disney will navigate this unprecedented challenge from within its own ranks, as some of its most valuable stars continue to defend the suspended late-night host.
