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By Cian Griffin Since its inception in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a juggernaut in modern day multiplexes. Starting with Iron Man, the Marvel heroes have gone on to become household names that have gathered millions of fans across the world, raking in over sixteen billion dollars at the worldwide box office. With this great global fanbase comes a great responsibility to represent these multitudes of fans on screen and promote diversity in the modern-day blockbuster. For the most part, Marvel has delivered on this front. While slow at first, the Marvel heroes have become gradually more diverse, branching out of white male heroes and embracing different types of heroes. For example, in 2018, Black Panther became a global sensation and had huge cultural relevance, featuring a predominantly African and African American cast. The same year, Ant-Man and the Wasp was the first Marvel film to feature a female character in the titular role. This new wave of diversity looks to continue with Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel (2019) becoming the first female hero to lead her own solo film. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow character will also lead her own film and an all-female Avengers film is also in development. A new film centring around Shang-Chi will become the first superhero film to feature an Asian lead character and a potential Nova movie featuring Sam Alexander would be the first superhero film to have a Latinx character in its central role. The future of the MCU looks bright, not only representing both male and female heroes but ethnically and culturally diverse heroes too. This is an extremely positive moment in modern day movie making, proving that lead characters can be more than just white men. However as a young, gay Marvel fanboy, I cannot help but wonder where the LGBTQ+ representation is in the MCU. Across 10 years and 21 feature films, we have been introduced to countless heroes and supporting characters, but there is a clear lack of LGBTQ+ representation. Of the estimated 67 characters in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, not even one was openly queer. In fact, we have only been introduced to one openly queer character in the form of Tessa Thompson’s scene stealing and kick-ass Valkyrie in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Even at that, Valkyrie never openly addresses her sexuality in the film. In an earlier cut of the film, one scene did hint towards her sexuality. The scene in question featured another woman leaving Valkyrie’s bedroom and heavily implied that the two had slept together. The scene was ultimately left on the cutting room floor with those involved citing “timing issues”. However, following the film’s release, Tessa Thompson (an openly bisexual actress) took to Twitter to assure fans that Valkyrie was indeed bisexual. Apart from Valkyrie, an early cut of Black Panther featured a scene referencing the relationship between two members of T’Challa’s elite bodyguard squadron, the Dora Milaje. However when the film was released in cinemas, the scene was nowhere to be found and was not even featured in the deleted scenes accompanying the film’s home release. Twice now, scenes featuring LGBTQ+ characters have been cut from Marvel films which raises the question: were these cuts purely creative or is there more to it? It is possible that Kevin Feige and the rest of the creative team at Marvel are trying not to alienate part of their audiences. Even in 2019, some people are still not accepting of gay characters in films. For example, look at another Disney project, 2017’s live-action Beauty and the Beast for a point of reference. As soon as director Bill Condon referenced LeFou’s sexuality and a scene featured him dancing with another man (which lasts all of 4 seconds), the film was banned in several cinemas across the US, banned completely in Malaysia and Kuwait, and a movement was launched to have it banned in Russia. Perhaps Marvel does not want a repeat of this, especially given that their films perform amazingly well in both the Russian and Malaysian markets. On the other hand, maybe these cuts are in actuality completely creative decisions with Marvel not finding the right time or place to introduce LGBTQ+ characters and do them justice. Head of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, has announced that the upcoming films in Phase 4 of the MCU will feature openly queer characters, so perhaps the future of the MCU will be a little more diverse in terms of representation. This now raises the question, as fans speculate what the future of the MCU hold who some of these characters might be. Here are a few of my suggestions which I believe would be perfect for the MCU: Wiccan: Billy Kaplan is the all-powerful, magical son of Scarlet Witch and one of the founding members of the Young Avengers, along with his boyfriend Hulkling (more on him later), who later goes on to replace Doctor Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme. With Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch being a fan favourite in the MCU and receiving her own TV show on Disney Plus, it’s only a matter of time before we get introduced to her children. Wiccan would be an interesting addition to the MCU as not only does his powers expand the mystical side of the Marvel universe, but they also make for an exciting visual spectacle. Beyond this, Wiccan’s struggles with his own personal demons would make for a fascinating and layered character. In the hands of a young star like Timothee Chalamet or Nick Robinson, Wiccan could become a staple of the MCU akin to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Hulkling: You can’t have Wiccan without his other half, Teddy Altman a.k.a. Hulkling. This Kree/Skrull hybrid is the son of the original Captain Marvel and takes inspiration from Bruce Banner’s Hulk. With shapeshifting abilities and superhuman strength, Hulkling could be a juggernaut in the MCU, joining the ranks of Hulk and Groot as the strongest heroes. With the Kree-Skrull War and (spoiler alert) his mother Mar-Vell being featured in Captain Marvel, now would be the perfect time to introduce the world to Teddy, especially if Mark Ruffalo’s time with Marvel ends with Avengers: Endgame, leaving a Hulk-shaped hole in the MCU. America Chavez: As a member of both the Young Avengers and the all-female Avengers team, the A-Force, America Chavez (Miss America) has become a staple of modern comics. With her ability to travel through dimensions, super strength, and sassy attitude, America could become a fan favourite representing both the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities. With Doctor Strange and Ant-Man already introducing us to the idea of different dimensions in their respective solo films, America could lead the Young Avengers on a dimension hopping adventure that would open the MCU to new worlds. With both Gina Rodriguez and Stephanie Beatriz expressing interest in playing this heroine and Young Avengers and A-Force films both apparently in the works at Marvel, it is only a matter of time before Miss America becomes a household name. Moondragon: With the current Guardians of the Galaxy roster being shaken up after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it might be time to add some new blood to the line up and there is no better option than the telekinetic and telepathic Heather Douglas, more commonly known as Moondragon. This bald badass has been a member of the Avengers, the Defenders and the Guardians of the Galaxy and is one of the most powerful heroes in Marvel comics. While her complicated and overly complex backstory involving resurrections and reincarnations might need to be updated and simplified, Moondragon could be an exciting addition to the cosmic side of the MCU. Drax himself, Dave Bautista, has already expressed interest in Moondragon joining the MCU. Angela: Last but not least is the long-lost sister of Thor and Queen of Hel, Angela. Another former member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics, Angela has gone toe to toe with monsters and demons alike across the entire Marvel universe. A current Marvel series sees Angela as a member of the Asgardians of the Galaxy and a movie adapting this concept featuring Angela, Valkyrie, Lady Sif, Korg and Miek could be a smash hit for Marvel, especially if put in the hands of Thor: Ragnarok helmer, Taika Watiti. At the end of the day, whether it be a creative decision or out of fear or alienating audiences, Marvel still needs to do better by their queer fans and add some much needed representation to their roster. The MCU is doing a far better job of representing LGBTQ+ characters on the small screen with Jeri Hogarth in Jessica Jones, Karolina Dean and Nico Minoru in Runaways and Shades in Luke Cage. Phase 4 of the MCU is still shrouded with mystery so it’s likely that post Avengers: Endgame, we could see a Young Avengers film or at least some of the characters mentioned above being introduced. According to recent reports, the upcoming movie centred around the Eternals is looking for an openly gay actor to fill the main role and the movie could feature the first openly gay hero so progress is on the horizon and I personally cannot wait to have a hero who can represent me and my experiences appear on the big screen.
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