Marvel Studios Producer Addresses Rumors Of First LGBTQ Hero In ‘Eternals’

During an interview with Variety, Marvel Studios production chief Victoria Alonso addressed the rumor that The Eternals will feature the first LGBTQ MCU hero.

Marvel Studios’ post-Avengers: Endgame plan includes a feature film starring The Eternals and the project is reportedly seeking an openly gay actor to portray one of the main heroes. This would mark the first time an LGTBQ+ hero has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Victoria Alonso said fans will have to wait before they officially announce details on the cast of The Eternals:

“We are going to cast the best ‘Eternals’ cast that we can and when we’re ready to announce it we promise you we will.”

However, Victoria Alonso noted that Marvel is committed to diversity:

“I’m so passionate about this I’ve got to tell you. Our entire success is based on people that are incredibly different. Why wouldn’t we? Why would we only want to be recognized by only one type of person? Our audience is global, is diverse, is inclusive. If we don’t do it that way for them, we will fail. If we don’t put pedal to the metal on the diversity and the inclusivity, we will not have continued success. Our determination is to have that for all of the people out there watching our movies.”

Victoria Alonso concluded by saying “the world is ready” for an LGBTQ+ superhero in the MCU.

In the comics, the Eternals are a fictional evolutionary offshoot of humanity who possess superpowers and longer lifespans than normal humans. Created by the Celestials over a million years ago, the superpowered beings were the result of genetic experiments that led to the creation of two divergent races: The Eternals and The Deviants. Often defending Earth from their monstrous counterparts, the Eternals became embroiled in a civil war amongst themselves over whether or not they should conquer the other races. One faction was led by Kronos and the other by his warlike brother named Uranos, with Kronos’ side ultimately winning the conflict while Uranos and his followers were exiled.

The Eternals will be directed by Chloe Zhao from a script written by Matthew and Ryan Firpo.

Source: Variety