By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, POLITICAL REPORTER IN MILWAUKEE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: | Updated:
Avengers! Assemble! To record an excruciatingly awkward Kamala Harris endorsement video.
Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Danai Gurira, Don Cheadle and Paul Bettany released a collaboration half cringe and half comedy.
The stars from the Marvel ‘Avengers’ series wanted to make their political endorsement of the Democrat known just ahead of the election.
In the nearly two-minute video, the Hollywood actors discuss coming up with a new slogan for Harris and eventually settle on the purposefully ill-conceived: ‘Down with democracy.’
The comedy stint didn’t seem to land well and users on social media mercilessly tore into the obviously scripted political stunt immediately.
‘Down with democracy,’ Johansson cheers in the bizarre campaign ad
‘The cast of the Avengers, who all now look like they have terminal illnesses… Say ‘down with democracy’ and ‘tear down democracy’ in support of Kamala,’ comedian Tim Youg wrote on X.
‘This doesn’t quite hit the way they intended it to.’
‘This gave me so much second-hand embarrassment,’ X user Dr. Sydney Watson posted.
Another girl Blaire White wrote: ‘Oh look, the people who are literally paid to lie have thoughts about our upcoming election.’
‘Chris Evans – You’re Captain America – Not Captain Communist…. Beyond sad,’ another account said.
‘Sounds like we know where Hollywood stands. This is embarrassing, fake and cringe,’ another wrote.
A large number of ‘Avengers’ cast members endorsed Kamala Harris in a strange video
Johansson appears like the organizer of the video
Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the ‘Avengers’, cheers as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speak to supporters at The Alan Horwitz ‘Sixth Man’ Center on October 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, bottom center, greets ‘Avengers’ actors Don Cheadle, top center left, and Mark Ruffalo, top center right, after speaking during a community rally
The video begins with Johansson: ‘Hi you guys. ‘Hi Avengers!’
‘Woah, woah, woah, I think you mean, assembling!’ Cheadle lamely jokes.
Following some clearly scripted back and forth between the actors the group begins floating ideas for a catch phrase for Kamala Harris.
After all, Robert Downey Jr., a.k.a. Iron Man, suggested it.
Later the actor who plays the robot voice JARVIS in the series, Paul Bettany comes up with a bright idea.
Many of the stars talked over each other during the recording
Scarlett Johansson plays Black Widow in Avengers – Age Of Ultron – 2015
‘How about ‘I’m down with democracy.” he suggests. ‘It’s just clean and simple.’
After some joking back and forth among the stars they begin joking Kamala Harris is ‘down with democracy.’
Mark Ruffalo – the Hulk – then chimes in noting the phrasing sounds a little bit off.
‘I don’t know if that sounds the way we want it to sound, though,’ he petitions.
The stars continue to joke with the phrase before the video ends telling the audience to vote in the November 5 election.
Chris Evans made a cameo
Cheadle also began leading chants
The strange video with the stars endorsing Harris days before the election is just the latest group of celebrity support brought in by the Democratic campaign.
Recently Harris has done stops with Beyonce and Bruce Springsteen.
Megastar Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez have also endorsed Harris.