The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to get a lot more diverse.
In addition to Marvel Studios doubling down on their commitment to ethnic diversity with a sequel to Black Panther and Asian-led including Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) in Thor: Love and Thunder, along with the franchise's first major deaf character Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) in Eternals too.
Now a fresh report from Geeks WorldWide suggests we could be about to see the series get its first transgender character.
According to the publication, the character - codenamed Jessica for casting - is a role for a transwoman actress of any ethnicity in her 20s to 30s.
The film that the character will appear in is said to be filming in 2020, leaving the options for the appearance to be the likes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and the fourth Thor outing.
The website reporting the news speculates that the character will appear in Thor: Love and Thunder as Marvel Comics superhero Sera, alongside a returning Natalie Portman as the female Mighty Thor, Dr. Jane Foster.
In the comics, Sera is an Anchorite, part of a race of male, wingless Angels who resided in a temple in Heven, the Tenth Realm.
However, Sera was the sole member of the Anchorites who identified as a woman, thus becoming the first major transwoman in Marvel Comics.
The heroine ended up becoming the lover of Thor's own long-lost half-sister Angela.
Could Sera be the Queen that Valkyrie is looking for to rule Asgard with in Thor: Love and Thunder?
At this stage it is all speculation, but it remains to be seen if Marvel is really about to provide some real transgender representation.
The next film to be released from Marvel's roster is the Black Widow movie next year, before the release of Eternals later in 2020.
What Marvel movie are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.
