CAPTAIN MARVEL Executive Producer On Finding The Right Way To Introduce The MCU's First Gay Hero - EXCLUSIVE

CAPTAIN MARVEL Executive Producer On Finding The Right Way To Introduce The MCU's First Gay Hero - EXCLUSIVE

Captain Marvel executive producer Jonathan Schwartz addresses the possibility of Marvel Studios introducing its first openly gay superhero and explains why it's important for them to get it right...

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By JoshWilding - Jun 10, 2019 02:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Captain Marvel
For quite some time now, we've been hearing rumblings about more representation coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Phase 4 and rumours point to The Eternals featuring a lead character who is gay. However, a lot of fans are rooting for characters like Carol Danvers and Valkyrie filling that void, thereby making them the MCU's first out and proud superheroes.

To promote the home entertainment release of Captain Marvel (it arrives on Blu-ray and DVD today), I recently had the opportunity to talk to executive producer Jonathan Schwartz. I asked about fans "shipping" Carol and Valkyrie and he made it clear that no matter who ends up filling that role, Marvel Studios' priority is getting it right.

"You know, I think the important thing about finding the MCU's first openly gay superhero is making sure that it's done right in a way that honours the character and feels totally organic. We talked in the past about characters who could potentially be that character because we know how important that representation is to the community and the answer has really been that it has to be the right character and it has to be the right time. We can't take a half measure and we can't mess it up. I think everyone wants it and everyone wants it to be done the right way."

Regardless of whether it's a new or existing superhero who is revealed as being gay, it's clear that Marvel Studios wants to make them more than a "token" character and that's the right attitude. 

After all, randomly revealing that any superhero is gay just so they can tout the fact the MCU has a homosexual superhero would not be the right reason and them putting so much thought into this is definitely reassuring. For now, though, whether it's Captain Marvel, an Eternal, or someone completely unexpected, it seems we'll have to be patient as they try to find that right time. 

Check back here later for much more from my interview with Jonathan! 
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WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 6/10/2019, 3:08 AM
I trust them to handle this properly. Excited to see all the fans represented.
Also, screw the homophobes.
WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 6/10/2019, 4:30 AM
@Truthsayer - No one is saying that though...
DVonShakari
DVonShakari - 6/10/2019, 5:22 AM
@Truthsayer - kinda true these days. It's always the underlying feeling
Origame
Origame - 6/10/2019, 5:29 AM
@WakandanQueen - if they're thinking openly gay first then they really wont. Good gay characters are good characters first and gay second.
MexCowboyNation
MexCowboyNation - 6/10/2019, 6:42 AM
@Origame - Why do you guys make it seem when companies want to represent people somehow the thing will less of quality? You're acting like most shit characters aren't white males.
MexCowboyNation
MexCowboyNation - 6/10/2019, 6:47 AM
@Truthsayer @DVonShakari - Easy to say when the majority is always represented. Movies expose people to other ideas and people. It helps form people's world views. It helps spread possible thoughts on different people to the ignorant. It can reinforce bigotry or make bigotry diminish because they are exposed to someone different from them in a positive light.
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 6/10/2019, 6:48 AM
@WakandanQueen - Doubt Marvel will ever risk getting such expensive movies banned in other countries just to make gay people feel "included". I think there will always be slight hints of gay characters like Thor's Valkyrie or gay sidekicks like Sulu in Star trek Beyond but disney will never make a lead character gay. It could happen but it has to be shot in a way where it could be edited out for overseas audiences like Beauty and the Beast's live action remake was.

Russia, China, and India are big contributors to the box office and world wide cinema. Homosexuality is censored and illegal to be shown in cinema by law over there. This is why Elsa will not be gay in Frozen 2 and the live action Mulan is being heavily regulated by China.
Origame
Origame - 6/10/2019, 6:54 AM
@MexCowboyNation - where did i indicate that having representation is how you get less quality? Especially since i pointed out that there are great gay characters out there. The problem is when you're thinking "we need to have more representation" instead of "we need the best people for the job" or "we need this for a great story". Just look at a wrinkle in time. That movie had the focus put on making things as diverse as possible and it bombed hard. Everyone hated it. Why? Because the focus was on diversity and not talent.

Im not saying gay characters cant be great. But they're great because they're great and interesting. Not because they are gay. And if its gonna be anything like captain marvel we're gonna get a gay character, with their sexual orientation being the one quality that is really touched on and anyone who says they're boring will be called an ignorant troll.
Lem1
Lem1 - 6/10/2019, 7:26 AM
@WakandanQueen - That sounds incredibly Heterophobic 😆
Howz about nobody gets screwed so little kids can still watch the movies 😉
HopeVanDAUMNN
HopeVanDAUMNN - 6/10/2019, 7:33 AM
@Lem1 - It's so heterophobic to think homophobia is bad! My feelings are hurt!
DVonShakari
DVonShakari - 6/10/2019, 8:28 AM
@MexCowboyNation - you know how to read but I don't think you are able to comprehend what you read very well.
MexCowboyNation
MexCowboyNation - 6/10/2019, 9:00 AM
@Origame - Those arguments are only used when non-majority characters are talked about. Not vice-versa.
MexCowboyNation
MexCowboyNation - 6/10/2019, 9:01 AM
@DVonShakari - you guys mock people for wanting representation. You exactly the ignorant fools I am talking about.
Origame
Origame - 6/10/2019, 9:55 AM
@MexCowboyNation - yeah. Im not denying that either. Because when someone makes a movie about a white guy, they dont think about them being a white guy as the defining characteristic. They arent sitting there being like "we need to get a movie about a white straight guy out there". They think about making the best possible movie.
Thundered
Thundered - 6/10/2019, 1:49 PM
@mastakilla39 - Good. Northstar? Fine. Iceman? No. Retcons of that sort for LONG Established characters just to make others feel “included” (sorry losers) are unacceptable! End of story.

It’s amazing that this generation claims to be the most intelligent, open and caring, yet they are such LOSERS personally......
JonC
JonC - 6/10/2019, 1:56 PM
@WakandanQueen - this topic reminds me of when the women had the spotlight in Endgame... so many "dominant men" lost their collective $hit when those women got together for what, maybe 20 seconds on film that was otherwise dedicated to male testosterone for the other 2 hrs and 59 minutes. Little boys are gonna complain if the action ain't like a video game and there are ain't plenty of muscles and boobage to go around.
goodtimes
goodtimes - 6/10/2019, 4:05 PM
@Origame - I hope they don't ask an actor who is not gay to take on this role. This is something that only affects them, but you have to take into account how will affect other actors on the set. This isn't a racial, gender,age or nationality inclusion issue, this is a biological inclusion issue. It is very different.
Origame
Origame - 6/10/2019, 5:29 PM
@goodtimes - i cant tell if you're being sarcastic or not. If not, then that makes it even worse. I mean really? Now they have to be gay to play them? Whats next, only british people can play british people? Will we need to build robots to play robots? At what point will actors be able to act? And since when do we need to turn movies into inclusion things? Anyone can become an actor if they have the skills. Sure theyre mostly white here but thats because our country is mostly white.
TheUnworthyThor
TheUnworthyThor - 6/10/2019, 3:08 AM
Eternals sounds like the right spot. Get certain audiences warmed up to the idea before Iceman makes his debut.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 6/10/2019, 3:13 AM
@TheUnworthyThor - Something tells me Richard Madden is going to do it.
TheUnworthyThor
TheUnworthyThor - 6/10/2019, 3:20 AM
@DnA - I’m cool with that although I thought they were looking for an openly gay actor for whatever role they have in mind.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 6/10/2019, 3:11 AM
I think they could also look at how Doom Patrol did it with Larry/Negative Man. Honestly despite the fact that he is gay, he's got one of the most relatable character stories and arcs I've ever watched in any of these comic book stuff. It's all about how he never got to be with this one guy that he loved because of the times he lived in, and how he can't get over something he never really had in the first place. Most people can relate to that kind of love story regardless of sexuality. His character was that compelling.

But yea, I think it's important that they know they have to do it right. Can't do half measures.
Batmanoncrack
Batmanoncrack - 6/10/2019, 3:13 AM
Dildos, definitely Dildos and pillows and pyjamas and lots of beautiful lesbians
Unites
Unites - 6/10/2019, 3:13 AM
I really doubt they're gonna do this, 'cause that movie will get banned in China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other markets. And the 'conservative' fans in other countries probably won't watch it as well. So, smaller budget?
thunderforce
thunderforce - 6/10/2019, 4:32 AM
@Unites - Yep the bigger the character and the more they put it in peoples faces the less people will go see it . Now is a bad time too because they know they are going to loose Captain America and Iron Man fans and some Thor fans too after the last movie .
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 6/10/2019, 3:34 AM
In my opinion they shouldn't make the captain marvel/valkyrie relationship a thing. To me it would kinda make it feel forced if they couple the characters of both actresses that are vocal about the subject. Instead they should just go with Hercules, who in the comics and in the mythology seems to be atleast a bisexual character
DVonShakari
DVonShakari - 6/10/2019, 5:13 AM
@MalseMarcel - Hercules and Thor!! 😂😂
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