LGBT Characters Are A "Strong" Possibility In Marvel Movies, Says Russos
Civil War directors say it's important to push for diversity.
Every time a new Marvel movie comes out, the question of diversity inevitably comes up: there aren't enough female characters, nothing passes the Bechdel Test, there are too few racial minorities... The idea that the MCU might actually acknowledge and deal with those complaints for some seems beyond the realms of possibility, given that they have a formula that they know works.
But once again, someone has asked key MCUfigures about the possibility of LGBTcharacters being introduced into future Marvel movies, and they - the Russos in this case - have responded well. According to the Civil War directors, we should probably prepare to see some diversity in the sexuality of their character slate, as Joe Russo told Collider:
I think the chances are strong. I mean, its incumbent upon us as storytellers who are making mass-appeal movies to make mass-appeal movies, and to diversify as much as possible. Its sad in the way that Hollywood lags behind other industries so significantly, one because you think that it would be a progressive industry, and two its such a visible industry. So I think its important that on all fronts we keep pushing for diversification because then the storytelling becomes more interesting, more rich, and more truthful.
Of course there will be some cynicism at the timing of this - the Russos have a film to sell, after all - but they do sound genuine at least. Anthony Russo even mapped out how Marvel's success makes steps towards diversity easier:
I think this is a philosophy of Marvel, in success it becomes easier to take riskstheres more of a boldness in terms of what you can try and where you can go. So I think thats very hopeful for all of us moving forward that bolder and bolder choices can be made.
What a shame that introducing a gay or trans character has to be considered brave.
This of course echoes the sentiment that Kevin Feige has already expressed in the wake of Ant-Man.During apress day for that release,Colliderasked Feige if wed see an LGBT character added tothe MCU within the next decade or so. His answer was as simple as it was forthright:
I would think so, for sure.
Strictly speaking, it would be far more progressive if Marvel were to add TWOLGBTcharacters at once, but then romance isn't always a necessary plot point and at least acknowledging gay characters in a positive way would be a step forward. It would certainly be a step away from the distasteful portrayal of Justin Hammer as a "prison bitch" in Marvel one shot All Hail The King.
It's actually hard to imagine Marvel introducing LGBT characters now when they're so infamously pandering to the Chinese market with the portrayal (or lack of, more appropriately) of Tibet in Doctor Strange. The idea that they would risk losing money in key emerging markets like China and Russia - whose track records with gay rights isn't exactly unblemished to say the least - is probably a little optimistic.
If they're making political statements that protect their market share in China, they're hardly going to suddenly turn around and make another that potentially ruins it.
So what are the possibilities?
North Star is arguably the most famous gay character having been the first, but his movie rights might be a bone of contention since he has been both a member of Alpha Flight and in the X-Men. Colossus is likewise off the table for the MCU (he was homosexual in an alternate universe), and Ice Man, Daken, Mystique, Destiny and Karma are all under Fox's stewardship.
That leaves characters like Hulkling (who seems an unlikely addition to the MCU with Hulk relegated to a supporting figure), Spider-Woman or Moondragon, who had been rumoured as a potential new member for the Guardians Of The Galaxy. And that's just the more famous characters: in all honesty, it doesn't matter who they choose - it's not like reimagining a traditionally straight character as gay takes away from the character. Or at least you'd have to hope both Marvel and fans would see it that way anyway.
Which LGBTcharacters would you like to see in the MCU? Share your suggestions below in the comments thread.