{
  "id": 2309602,
  "title": "Marvel stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and others call for Marwan Barghouti's release",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for-2309602",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T05:09:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for-marwan-barghoutis-release/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, and Don Cheadle, among others, have joined a growing movement urging for the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. Over 20 prominent film and culture figures have signed a statement, calling on the UN and governments worldwide to advocate for Barghouti's release from an Israeli prison. The Free Marwan campaign, launched by Barghouti's family and supporters, has garnered backing from more than 200 high-profile individuals across various fields. In the statement, the actors express deep concern over Barghouti's continued imprisonment, mistreatment, and denial of legal rights. They urge the UN and world governments to actively seek his release. Among the signatories are Cumberbatch, known for his role as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/Hulk, and Cheadle, who portrays James Rhodes, also known as War Machine. The list also includes notable figures such as Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Daniel Bruhl, Rebecca Hall, Zawe Ashton, Tatiana Maslany, May Calamawy, Emma Corrin, and Kingsley Ben-Adir, among many others. Marwan Barghouti, 67, has been incarcerated by Israel for more than two decades and remains a key figure in Palestinian politics. A senior member of Fatah, he was arrested in 2002 during the Second Intifada and sentenced to five life terms plus 40 additional years in 2004 for his alleged involvement in attacks that claimed five lives. Barghouti vehemently denies the charges and has consistently maintained his innocence, rejecting the legitimacy of the Israeli court system. Despite serving more than two decades in prison, he continues to be a respected political figure among Palestinians and has maintained strong support through frequent high poll standings as a potential future president. His advocates present him as someone capable of uniting Palestinian factions and draw parallels between his situation and that of former South African president Nelson Mandela.",
  "summary": "Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle are among a group of Marvel stars calling for the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti . More than 20 actors have added their names to a statement calling on the UN and governments around the world to push for Barghouti's release from an Israeli prison. The statement was shared by the Free Marwan campaign , launched by…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Marvel stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and others call for Marwan Barghouti's release",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for",
        "published": "2026-08-21T05:09:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}