Photo: Marvel/Youtube
After a couple years ofteasing the introduction of their first LGBTQ superhero, Marvel delivered with their latest blockbuster,Eternals.
The movie has earned praise from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for the inclusion of gay character Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), as well as his husband Ben (Haaz Sleiman) and their son Jack (Esai Daniel Cross).
“With the introduction of the first LGBTQ superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,Eternalsis changing the game for what it means to be a superhero on screen in ways that audiences around the world will applaud,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement.
“GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index reports have shown a trend of few LGBTQ characters in major studio releases, a majority of which receive less than three minutes of screentime, but the characters of Phastos, his husband, and their son play critical roles inEternalsthat will set a new standard for LGBTQ inclusion across the genre,” Ellis continued.
Sleiman, 45, an openly gay actor, recently opened up toVarietyabout the importance of such characters on the big screen. “Beyond a dream come true, it’s life-saving,” hesaid of the role.
Marvel Studios
“I wish I had that when I was a kid to see this. My god,” Sleiman added. “I wish! Can you imagine how many lives this is going to be saving — kids, young queer folk, who are being bullied, committing suicide, and not seeing themselves being represented? And now they get to see this — it’s above and beyond.”
AlthoughEternals has received praise from some over its LGBTQ inclusion, the moviehas been bannedin Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, likely for the same reason. After local sensors in the Gulf countries, where homosexuality is illegal, requested certain edits be made, Disney refused.
Angelina Jolie, who makes her MCU debut inEternalsas Thena, hasexpressed her disappointmentover the movie’s ban in those countries. “I’m sad for [those audiences]. And I’m proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out,” Jolie, 46, told Australia’s News.com.
RELATED VIDEO:Angelina JolieBrings Kids Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox to Eternals Premiere
Kumail Nanjiani, who plays Kingo, alsodefended the filmin a since-deleted tweet. “Looks like we’re upsetting the right people. Eternals opens November 5th,” Nanjiani, 43, wrote last week.
See Marvel’sEternals, now in theaters.
source: people.com
