Marvel might introduce a trans superhero, just not as soon as we all hoped

In a December 2019 Q&A session with students of the New York Film Academy, head of Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Kevin Feige appeared to confirm that there would be more LGBTQ+ characters—specifically trans characters—introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, Feige may have spoken too soon.

"Yes—absolutely, yes," Feige responded to a student who asked if the MCU would become more LGBTQ+ inclusive, "specifically the T: trans characters," the student clarified. "And very soon," Feige added. "In a movie that we’re shooting right now."

Because the student put emphasis on the inclusion of future transgender characters, those who watched the Q&A assumed Feige was confirming the appearance of a trans character in the Marvel film that is currently underway—The Eternals. However, sources have told Variety that this actually isn’t the case.

The sources close to the studio clarified that Feige’s response was to the first part of the student’s question about LGBTQ+ characters. He did not mean to imply that a trans character would be included in the MCU “very soon,” Variety reports.

The miscommunication occurs around the 23:15 mark in the video from the Q&A session:

Feige was actually referring to the presence of a gay lead character in The Eternals, which stars Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Gemma Chan, Kit Harington, Barry Keoghan, and Brian Tyree Henry. However, he hasn’t specified which superhero character it will be.

Per Variety, Feige confirmed to Good Morning America at the D23 Expo in August that the character in question is married. “He’s got a family, and that is just part of who he is,” Feige said.

So, although we may still have to wait for a trans superhero to grace the big screen in a Marvel film, seeing the first openly gay superhero will definitely be a step in the right direction.