One day after people all around the world gathered in celebration of gay pride, Marvel has unveiled that part of their plan for the future of the MCU is to introduce two LGBTQA+ characters in future films. Also, it's worth noting that these characters will be openly queer, and not victims of some thinly-veiled workaround.
While participating in an interview with Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist, Marvel Studios Head, Kevin Feige, said “yes” to the question: “When are we getting a Gay, Bi, LGBTQ, out character in the MCU? Is it even in the works?”
Naturally, Ellwood asked if we've met either of these characters in past films, seemingly nodding to Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie of THOR: RAGNAROK fame. Feige replied by saying: “Both… Both ones you’ve seen and ones you haven’t seen.”
Well it's about damn time! Okay, so who do you think will arrive on the MCU scene as a member of the LGBTQA+ community? Could the Fox/Disney merger play into this initiative? If so, given enough time, we could be looking at characters the likes of America Chavez, Wiccan, Hulkling, Iceman, Northstar, Karma, Daken, Bling and many more entering the fray. It'll take some copyright gymnastics for sure, though it's important to keep in mind that Marvel plans for these things several years in advance. Hell, we might even get Loki back in the MCU as an LGBTQ character. It's really anyone's guess at this stage of the game. Nevertheless, its great to hear that Marvel's diversity is finally reaching beyond their publishing arm. There are a lot of amazing characters out there, and The Avengers won't pay the bills forever. The Young Avengers, however. Now there's an idea!