Marvel Comics boasts a wide array of characters across its superhero lineups, that being said there’s much room for improvement for its on-screen counterpart. Between both the theatrical releases and Disney+ shows, there’s been a whopping 42 entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with plenty more on the slate. So, here are five LGBTQ+ characters I’d like to see brought to life in future MCU projects.
1) Wiccan (Billy Kaplan)
This spot should come as no surprise to anyone. The character was partially introduced in 2020’s WandaVision, but with the announcement of Joe Locke from Netflix’s Heartstopper being cast as the role in the upcoming Agatha: Coven of Chaos, fans shouts for an onscreen adaptation of Wiccan is finally looking likely.
In the comics Billy Kaplan is one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, at one point becoming the Sorcerer Supreme and even an omniscient being capable of altering reality itself, but it’s his relationship and eventual marriage to Hulkling that serves to really ground this character. Whilst we saw in WandaVision how his powers are likely to manifest, I hope they really explore his role as a true member of the superhero community – not just a regular teenager with magicky powers.
2) Hulkling (Teddy Altman)
Another predictable spot, but it had to be done! In the comics, Hulkling is half Kree/ half Skrull, species that have both been set up in the MCU already, almost guaranteeing his introduction at some point. Whilst its possible he may pop up in Agatha: Coven of Chaos alongside Joe Locke, he’ll almost definitely appear in the Young Avengers adaptation that’s clearly being set-up.
On screen I’d like to see the dynamics of his and Wiccan’s relationship explored deeper. In the comics he undergoes an identity crisis when he starts fearing he was magicked into existence by Wiccan in order to be the ‘perfect boyfriend’. Their relationship is the perfect catalyst for nuanced LGBTQ+ storytelling in the MCU, and would serve as great role models for young queer kids.
3) Moondragon
In the comics, when Thanos killed Drax The Destroyer’s wife and daughter, little did he realise that his daughter’s life was secretly spared by Thanos before being trained into the deadly assassin Moondragon.
An unapologetically lesbian character, she is well known for dating a hero already introduced to the MCU – Phyla-Vell, the young girl with telekinesis in the most recent Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.3. Her young age may limit any on-screen romance for a while, but I’d like to see Moondragon introduced in the upcoming Nova series – set to be a sequel to Guardian’s 3 following the eponymous Nova Corps
4) Mystique
Our favourite blue shapeshifter has often been short changed in her previous on-screen adaptations. A character who’s been presented overly-sexualised through the male gaze in previous X-Men films, we’ve only ever seen her romance depicted through the lens of heterosexuality with the love triangle between McAvoy’s Professor X and Fassbender’s Magneto.
In the comics however, she’s presented as having a long-term lesbian relationship with female mutant Destiny, someone with the precognitive power of telling the future. With the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney it’s only a matter of time before we have a standalone X-Men film in the MCU. I hope marvel uses the opportunity to explore elements of Mystique’s bisexuality, perhaps opting to depict her as a gender fluid character instead of a hyper-sexualised one.
5) Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier)
Another Mutant, Northstar is an obvious choice for a future X-Men lineup in the MCU. With powers that initially started as mere light manipulation, and only in the presence of his twin sister Aurora, the character has gone on to be both a successful businessman, athlete and honorary member of the X-Men.
Northstar holds a special place in the LGBTQ+ community; he was the first openly gay superhero to be introduced in American comics and featured the first gay wedding – attended by the X-Men no less! I’d like to see Marvel use his character as an opportunity for more emotional storytelling in the MCU, dealing with discrimination from being both gay and a mutant, as well as the complexity of married life as a superhero.
Other Articles
