When Stan Lee introduced characters like Black Panther and Jean Grey, he was very much ahead of his time in the respect that superhero comics from that period simply didn't feature non-white or female characters in leading roles. Now, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige makes it clear that
Black Panther and
Captain Marvel are just the start of a more diverse slate in the MCU.
"We're just the stewards, the current stewards, of these characters, that [Lee] and his co-creators brought together -- and all of them were created in that spirit of those Soapboxes," Feige explained, referring to Stan's Soapbox column which was used to discuss social and racial issues of the time. "That was very much what Stan's worldview was, and that's what those movies represent."
"Because that is -- how do I put this -- it's the right way to be," Feige continued.
"It is the way the world should be. And one the great things about the movies is you get to showcase the world that you want to reflect and the way you want the world to be. And that's what [Lee] did with these characters."
Everything Feige says here is accurate and it's good to see the MCU now embracing this path, especially as an argument could be made that female and non-white characters have been relegated to supporting roles for the most part over the past decade or so. It's thought that
The Eternals will be the most diverse movie to date from the studio, as it will feature an openly gay lead.
What are your thoughts on Feige's remarks? Be sure to let us know your thoughts on that in the comments sectiona and stay tuned for more.