People Are Calling Out the MCU for Its Lack of Diversity — Again
The promises of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to diversify their movies are still mostly in development if slowly coming true. More women are finally being represented, and (slowly but surely) more minorities are also gaining substantial roles.
Regardless, other things are still too much at a snail’s pace. While talks go on, other areas are lacking and only being discussed rather than truly implemented. One would think more women would be at the forefront by now at the MCU. Plus, more minorities need representing, something fans on social media are still discussing every day.
Where is MCU really faltering in the way of diversity? Marvel should be reading a few discussions going on, namely on Reddit.
How is the MCU doing in Latinx representation?
One sore spot for fans is the MCU seeming to ignore Latinx in their movies, despite the population of America being well over 50 million. Fans on Reddit made a strong hint of this when someone started a thread posting a collage of all Latinx characters in the MCU.
With only one pic posted (of Ant-Man’s Luis, played by Michael Peña), the irony was more than felt. All the droll comments rolled in either outright agreeing, or trying to show more Latinx characters exist in the MCU than fans remember.
In most cases, Latinx characters in any Marvel product seems mostly relegated to TV than on the big screen. Others also note that Luis is a favorite character, albeit not being a superhero and mostly a comedic sidekick to Scott Lang.
Has the MCU made a big mistake not representing Latinx folk, or will they correct the problem? Based on more Reddit comments, it almost seems like Marvel wants to go one minority at a time.
Has MCU done better representing Black people?
Said one Reddit user with tongue in cheek: “Fans: We need more racial diversity! Marvel: Adds 7 black characters.” Perhaps that’s a painful assessment, yet it seems more than a little true.
Based on this comment, some will argue the MCU is only filling in quotas on their diversity rosters of late. When one sees Latinx and Asian folk are still vastly underrepresented in the MCU movies, how can audiences express their dismay to the corporate suits?
The good news is that with the upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Asian folk will finally have representation, according to Screenrant. Plus, Black Panther 2 is still on the slate to continue bringing Black actors into the fray.
How will Latinx folk ever be fully represented, though? While some fans cite Latinx characters in the TV shows, Marvel Comics did have numerous Latinx superheroes.
Latinx superheroes the MCU needs to bring in as soon as possible
Sure, Robbie Reyes (as Ghost Rider) is Hispanic, even though this is still represented only on TV. In the movies, not one single superhero is of Latinx origin.
Marvel Comics were at least diverse decades ago (thanks to Stan Lee), back when no other form of media was. They managed to create various Latino superheroes needing their own movies today, or at least appearances soon.
Some of these include America Chavez (Miss American), Anya Corazón (Spider-Girl), and Ava Ayala (White Tiger). Plus, of course, Miles Morales is half Puerto Rican in the comic books, including in the Sony film Into the Spider-Verse. Since the MCU will probably never have Miles Morales for themselves, no one should expect any development there.
As for the others, they may show up eventually. One Reddit fan above said it succinctly: “Marvel deserves the love as they are trying. Can’t make everyone happy all the time.” Maybe true, but taking it one minority at a time might start to look like a list rundown rather than making it an organic process.
