It’s certainly the case that every casting call released for Avengers: Infinity War – the production of which is reportedly code-named Mary Lou – has sparked a frenzy of speculation among fans. We’ve heard rumours about everything from an early cameo by Captain Marvel, to suggestions about the appearance of Asgard. But, the latest casting call raises two very different questions.
Take a look at it below:
“Secretaries: Looking for women who appear to be Caucasian, 20s – 50s, to portray 1960s secretaries/clerks. Hair must be period appropriate: no longer than shoulder length, no dye, no modern colors or cuts. Must be dress size 0-8.
“Female Engineers: Looking for women who appear to be Caucasian, 20s – 50s, to portray 1960s engineers in this VERY small scene. Hair must be period appropriate: no longer than shoulder length, no dye, no modern colors or cuts. Must be dress size 0-8.”
Reportedly, the Secretaries scene will shoot on October 10th and 11th, while the Engineers scene will shoot on October 12th, 13th, and 16th.
The first question it raises is whether this means that Agent Peggy Carter will be making her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Portrayed by Hayley Atwell, the character was first seen in Captain America: The First Avenger, and she immediately became a fan favourite. Due to the nature of Captain America’s story arc, however, her subsequent big screen appearances have been limited to brief flashbacks, and a deathbed scene.
Peggy’s influence within the MCU is vast, however, given that she has a complex and long history with S.H.I.E.L.D., Howard Stark and Hank Pym – bridging the gap between Captain America, Ant-Man, The Wasp and Iron Man. She’s also the aunt of Sharon Carter, played by Emily VanCamp in the Captain America trilogy. This casting call, indicating the inclusion of scenes set in the 1960s in a scientific setting, therefore suggest that Avengers: Infinity War may well feature a scene or two centred on this vital character. Fan speculation takes this one step further, though, and suggests that the involvement of the Time Stone (and the screening of Carter-centric snippets at Comic-Con) may mean something a little more permanent for the tenacious S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
The second question this casting call raises concerns the description of women required. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as a franchise, is renowned for its lack of inclusion in terms of women of colour, over the past decade of its film releases. Why do these scenes – set specifically in an era during which women of colour were working to put men on the moon, among other contributions to developing STEM industries – require all female secretaries and engineers to be petite white women? Does this mean that, going into its fourth phase, the only women of colour appearing in the MCU will be limited to Thor: Ragnarok’s Valkyrie, and those connected to Black Panther? That would be disappointing but, ten years and sixteen films in, also unsurprising.
Avengers: Infinity War is due for release on May 4th, 2018.
