The Eternals will include Marvel’s first LGBTQ+ kiss, and it’s about dang time
Marvel fans have been clamoring for explicit onscreen LGBTQ+ representation, and it looks like they’ll finally get it with The Eternals.
There’s no denying the Marvel Cinematic Universe has gotten better over the years, both in terms of storytelling and of inclusion — though there’s still a long way to go before female superheroes, superheroes of color, and LGBTQ+ superheroes are commonplace on the big screen. But it looks as though fans pushing for more diversity in the MCU will be happy with The Eternals, which will reportedly showcase Marvel’s first-ever onscreen LGBTQ+ kiss.
Yes, it seems we’ve come a long way from the nameless guy with a husband in Avengers: Endgame.
Kevin Feige revealed earlier that The Eternals would feature an openly gay character, though fans weren’t sure what to expect at the time. Disney’s — and Marvel’s — record when it comes to giving LGBTQ+ characters big and important storylines hasn’t been all that great, so many fans were hesitant about the declaration.
But it seems as though Eternals team member Phastos, who will be played by Brian Tyree Henry, will be the MCU’s first gay superhero — meaning, yes, one of the movie’s integral characters will be queer. (Finally!) Haaz Sleiman will play Phastos’ husband, and Sleiman expressed excitement being involved with such a groundbreaking storyline for Marvel.
“It’s a very beautiful, moving kiss,” Sleiman said in an interview with NewNowNext. “Everyone cried on set. For me, it’s very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be.”
What’s perhaps most exciting about these characters and their storyline is that they showcase a healthy queer family as the norm, a notion more people need to embrace. Sleiman also expressed gratitude for his co-star, who he believes brought a much-needed humanity to the role.
“Brian Tyree Henry is such a tremendous actor and brought so much beauty into this part, and at one point I saw a child in his eyes, and I think it’s important for the world to be reminded that we in the queer community were all children at one point,” Sleiman added. “We forget that because we’re always depicted as sexual or rebellious; we forget to connect on that human part.”
Hopefully, when The Eternals arrives, these characters will enable the audience to connect with the humanity Sleiman speaks of. Because, let’s be honset here: We need more storylines like this in the MCU, and in superhero media in general.
Next. Will we see a trans character in the MCU at some point?. dark