The Marvel Comic Universe is reportedly set to introduce its first transgender superhero – although details of who, when and in what film are still very much under wraps.
Head of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige announced the news during a Q&A at the New York Film Academy last week, saying that plans to feature a trans character are already in place.
When asked whether more LGBTQ+ characters would be introduced to the MCU, including "specifically the T, trans characters,'' Feige replied: “Yes, absolutely. Yes. And very soon. In a movie that we're shooting right now.”
The comments suggest that the new characters will be introduced in the upcoming Phase 4 of the MCU, which begins with Black Widow in May, though no confirmation was given.
Geeks Worldwide previously reported that Marvel were beginning casting for a trans character over the summer, speculating that the character could be Sera – an Angel of Heven from the Thor comics who is Marvel’s only trans woman superhero.
The news comes after a previous announcement that the upcoming Marvel movie The Eternals, set to be released in November, will feature the studio’s first openly gay superhero. Actress Tessa Thompson also previously confirmed that her character Valkyrie is bisexual.
Marvel are behind their rivals DC, who first introduced the transgender superhero Nia Nal, played by Nicole Maines, in their Supergirl TV show in 2018.
Fiege had previously made it clear he has plans to diversify the MCU, telling io9 in April of last year: "You look at the success of Captain Marvel and Black Panther. We want the movies to reflect the audience and we want every member of our global audience to see themselves reflected on the screen."
