Streaming platforms pull Steven Seagal films amid fake news controversy

This week, it emerged that streaming platforms in the United States removed several productions featuring Steven Seagal from their offerings. Among them was a film titled "Cartels," which is notable for its role in creating a notorious fake news story.

A few days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, reports surfaced that American actor and Putin sympathizer Steven Seagal was fighting on the side of the aggressor. This news was quickly debunked; the published photo was merely a still from a film. It's important to delve into the origins of this fake news story.

The false information that Steven Seagal "is fighting alongside Russian special forces" was spread on social media by Joe Rogan, an American sports commentator, television host, and stand-up comedian. Rogan shared a graphic resembling a CNN post on Twitter, showing Seagal wearing dark sunglasses, a combat uniform, and a rifle slung over his shoulder, supposedly participating in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The sensational news spread quickly around the world, although it was debunked the same day. "I deleted my earlier post about Steven Seagal being in Ukraine because it was just a joke, but honestly, no one would be surprised if it were true," Joe Rogan explained.

The photo of Seagal shared by Rogan was taken from the film "Cartels" (original title "Cartels"), which was released for VOD distribution at the beginning of 2017. Interestingly, the still came from a part of the film set in Ukraine, specifically in Odessa, within the territory controlled by a drug lord beyond the reach of the supposedly powerless Ukrainian authorities.

"When they call me, it's no joke. Treat it like a damn final judgment. I'm a sharp guy, so don't think you can outsmart me," says the character played by Seagal. While filming "Cartels," the Hollywood star, the film's producer, had not yet been banned from entering Ukraine. However, the filming location was in Romania, and the entire material was recorded there. Currently, "Cartels" is no longer available on any streaming platform.