Avengers: Endgame may have introduced the first openly gay character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe – albeit through a Joe Russo cameo – but it seems this is just the tip of a very big iceberg for Marvel Studios.
During a Reddit AMA (h/t ComicBook.com), Marvel Studios Executive Vice President of Production Victoria Alonso touched base on the current slate of MCU films, and why there’s still plenty more LGBTQ+ representation to come in Phase 4 and beyond.
Marvel fans know too well that, beyond the lesbian romance storyline in Runaways, there’s been nary a mention of an LGBT relationship on the big screen, and the fact that Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok both contained deleted scenes exploring Okoye and Valkyrie’s sexuality leaves us feeling overly disappointed.
But the tide is turning, as Alonso told Reddit:
I would feel honored to have a member of the LGBTQ+ group represented in our films and I hope the future shows that. I can tell you we are actively working on making our universe as diverse and inclusive as we can. Be patient with us. We have a lot coming in the future.
So long as it’s not diversity for diversity’s sake, this is something we can get behind. After 22 movies and scores of box office accolades, it’s nigh time that the Marvel Cinematic Universe began opening its doors to minority groups who’ve perhaps been underrepresented in the past. And what better way to start than to explore the future adventures of Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie? Or better yet, double down on an openly gay character in a tentpole movie – like, say, The Eternals, which looks set to be the blockbuster anchor of MCU Phase 4. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Up next for the MCU is the launch of Spider-Man: Far From Home, a sequel/epilogue that will deal with the Endgame fallout in more ways than one…
