Marvel looks set to have its first gay leading superhero.
According to a new report from Gay Times, the upcoming cosmic epic from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Eternals, will feature an ensemble of the super-powered race, but it will be headed by the character of Hercules.
Angelina Jolie 'in talks' to star in Marvel's The Eternals have also suggested that Angelina Jolie will join the cast of the film, perhaps as leading lady Sersi or another character.
In the Marvel Comics, Hercules is not one of the race of The Eternals but is instead a character closely resembling the Heracles/Hercules of Greek and Roman mythology and is a member of the Greek God race of Olympians as the God of Strength and Labour.
Hercules is most associated with the Avengers in the comics and not often a leading figure in the stories of The Eternals.
Angelina Jolie 'in talks' to star in Marvel's The Eternals
The Eternals were created by the ancient alien Celestials and were seen as their designated defenders of Earth against their evil counterparts, the Deviants.
The characters' chief base on Earth is the city of Olympia, located on the Greek mountain of Mount Olympus, the traditional home of the Greek Gods in myth.
Other Eternals were created on the planet of Titan, including Avengers: Infinity War villain Thanos.
Reddit rumours have also suggested that openly gay actor and The Hobbit series star Luke Evans is in the frame to portray Hercules.
Upcoming Marvel Studios movies - MCU Phase 4 in order
Evans previously portrayed Hercules' mythological father Zeus in Immortals and as the fellow Greek God of Apollo in Clash of the Titans.
This could be fan casting but we would certainly not mind it!
The only other confirmed LGBTQ+ hero in the MCU movies is Thor: Ragnarok heroine Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), but this was not confirmed on-screen.
The first age of the Marvel Cinematic Universe meets its end with Avengers: Endgame later this month.
The Eternals does not currently have a release date.
