Marvel ‘absolutely’ plans to introduce trans and queer characters ‘very soon’
It is rumoured that Marvel will introduce Sera, a trans superhero, as a love interest for Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige has said that there will “absolutely” be more queer and trans characters in the franchise’s upcoming films.
Feige appeared at a Q&A event at the New York Film Academy, where he was quizzed on diversity and representation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
When asked if there were any plans to bring more LGBT+ characters to the MCU, “specifically trans characters,” Feige replied: “Absolutely, yes.”
He explained that a queer and/or trans character would be arriving “very soon, in a movie that we’re shooting right now.”
When asked by another audience member whether the successes of Black Panther and Captain Marvel would open the door to further diversity, Feige said that this “was always the plan for us.”
Marvel reportedly seeking a trans woman to play a trans superhero.
While he remained coy on the specifics, Feige’s words appear to confirm an earlier report that Marvel was seeking a trans actor to play a new superhero.
It was reported in July 2019 that the studio had issued a casting call a trans woman of any ethnicity in her twenties to thirties.
Geeks WorldWide, which broke the news, has speculated that the role is Sera, Marvel’s only existing trans woman superhero, and that she will appear in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder.
The website speculated that Sera could form a love interest for Tessa Thompson’s character Valkyrie, who Feige has already confirmed will have a queer storyline.
It is thought that pre-production on Thor will begin in March, with a scheduled released ate of November 5, 2021.
Before then, The Eternals will introduce the MCU’s first openly gay superhero, Phastos, who will be “married [to a man]… and that is just part of who he is.”
Phastos will be played by Brian Tyree Henry in the film, which will be released on November 6, 2020.
