The Real Reason Behind Seth Rollins’ Last-Minute Cut Revealed by Captain America Director

In a move that’s ignited a firestorm of controversy, director Julius Onah has come under intense scrutiny for his decision to cut WWE superstar Seth Rollins from Captain America: Brave New World. Fans are outraged, accusing Onah of sidelining a beloved figure without sufficient justification and calling the removal a blatant insult to both Rollins and the wrestling community.

Seth Rollins’ Role in the MCU: What Could Have Been?

Seth Rollins was initially cast as a member of the Serpent Society, a notorious group of snake-themed villains in Marvel Comics. His involvement was highly anticipated, with fans expecting his wrestling background to bring a unique, intense, and physical edge to the role.

For months, there was speculation about how Marvel would introduce the Serpent Society, a villainous faction that has been part of Captain America’s rogue gallery for decades. Given Rollins’ ability to command attention in the ring, many believed he was a perfect fit for the role.

However, in a recent interview, Onah defended his decision, stating that the Serpent Society’s depiction “didn’t fit the final vision of the film.” He elaborated that the group consists of “individuals dressed up as snakes and have snake-adjacent powers,” and that they were still working on “the best way to incorporate them into the movie.”

This vague and unsatisfying explanation has done little to calm the anger of fans, many of whom feel that Rollins was unfairly dropped from the project for reasons beyond just “storytelling.”

A weak excuse? Fans Are Not Buying It

Critics argue that Onah’s explanation is nothing more than a flimsy excuse to justify Marvel’s poor planning. The Serpent Society has been a staple in Marvel Comics, and their live-action debut has been teased for years.

Why suddenly change direction now?

Many believe that Rollins’ removal wasn’t about the story but about something more political behind the scenes. The decision has sparked discussions about Hollywood’s bias against professional wrestlers, with fans pointing out how other WWE stars like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena have been able to transition successfully into Hollywood, while Rollins was seemingly cast aside without a second thought.

The anger only intensified when fans realized who was brought in after Rollins was cut—and the replacement isn’t sitting well with them.

Did Seth Rollins Get Replaced by a Bigger Star?

Adding fuel to the fire, it was revealed that Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian, was cast after Rollins was removed.

Julius Onah stated that they were looking for a “tone that is special and solemn” for the character, which Esposito could provide.

This statement immediately sparked backlash, with many interpreting it as a veiled insult towards Rollins. Fans began speculating whether Marvel never actually took Rollins seriously for the role in the first place. Was he just a marketing stunt—a way to generate WWE fan interest—only to be discarded once a “real” actor became available?

The controversy has only deepened as fans argue that Rollins was never given a fair shot. While Esposito is an established Hollywood veteran, some believe that Marvel misled fans by initially casting a wrestler, only to pull the rug out from under them later.

Fans Are Furious on Social Media

The outrage hasn’t been contained to Marvel’s fanbase alone—WWE fans have also joined in, blasting Marvel Studios for what they call a “shameful waste of talent.”.

Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with criticism, with fans demanding answers from Marvel. Some of the most common reactions include:

“Why even cast Rollins if you were just going to erase him?”
“Marvel clearly doesn’t respect wrestling stars in Hollywood.”
“They just wanted the buzz of a WWE superstar but never actually planned to use him.”
“Rollins deserved better than this.”

A faction of fans has even started calling for transparency, questioning whether Rollins was ever truly considered as a serious part of the film. Petitions have begun circulating online, urging Marvel to provide behind-the-scenes footage of Rollins’ cut scenes, if they exist at all.

With all the negative press building up, the question remains—will this backlash actually affect the movie?

Will This Controversy Hurt Captain America: Brave New World?

With Captain America: Brave New World set for release on February 14, 2025, this controversy refuses to die down.

The fallout has led some fans to reconsider their excitement for the film, while others have even begun calling for a boycott. The way Marvel and Julius Onah handled the situation has left a stain on the movie’s reputation, long before it even hits theaters.

Will Rollins speak out?
Will Marvel respond to the backlash?
Will fans’ frustrations translate into real damage at the box office?

One thing is clear—Marvel has angered a passionate fanbase, and they may struggle to win them back.