The Marvel universe that is home to some of the world’s most iconic superheroes from Spiderman to Black Panther is set to introduce its first transgender superhero VERY soon, according to the Studio’s boss, Kevin Feige.
Speaking at a Q&A at the New York Film Academy Kevin was asked whether there were imminent plans to introduce LGBTQ+ characters, “especially the T, trans questions,” the question asked. In reply Kevin said, “Yes, absolutely. Yes. And very soon. In a movie that we’re shooting right now.”
The move comes as the iconic franchise attempts to broaden its offering across TV shows and films galore after such successful attempts with Black Panther and Captain Marvel. Later this year on the new Disney+ series, The Eternals the universe will get its first gay character and there are reports swirling that phase 4 of MCU – the films that follow the end of the Avengers franchise – will feature the new trans character.
The bid by Marvel Universe to represent the universe we ACTUALLY live in doesn’t stop there. The Eternals will also get its first deaf superhero and it’s first-ever Asian-American superhero in Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings.
The Eternals will star the likes of Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Gemma Chanand is set to be released in November and the Marvel Boss himself has revealed the gay character will be “married, he’s got a family, and that is just part of who he is.” Isn’t it refreshing to hear that the character’s sexuality will just be part of who he is, rather than defining him?
Thor’s next film, Love and Thunder, will also see Tessa Thompson’s character, Valkyrie, who identifies as bisexual, take centre stage and follow her as she looks for a queen. In the fourth Thor movie the character will feature alongside Natalie Portman who it was revealed at the San Diego comic con last year will take ownership of Thor – played by Chris Hemsworth’s – iconic hammer. Natalie’s character will be the first female character to do so.
Such a feminist move also comes as Scarlett Johnson finally gets her own standalone Black Widow movie – starring alongside GLAMOUR’s current cover star, Florence Pugh – which will be released in March.
We applaud Marvel for all of these moves and suddenly we are MUCH more interested in the powerhouse franchise.