Marvel Studios Phase 4 announces brand new diverse cast and people are ecstatic | indy100 | indy100

San Diego’s Comic-Con has been a treasure trove of trailers, news, and Mall things Marvel – particularly Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

And one thing has become abundantly clear: it’s very, very inclusive.

The racial and gender diversity has been a point of celebration to fans online.

Major roles are going to women, people of colour and those from the LGBT+ community, reflecting the demand for better representation.

Angelina Jolie will be directing The Eternals, which will feature Pakistani-born Kumail Nanjiana as well Salma Hayek, Brian Tyree Henry and deaf actress Lauren Ridloff.

Black Widow is set to explode onto the screens with Scarlett Johansson reprising a role people actually enjoy watching her play, there’s the all-Asian case of Shang-Chi which includes Simu Liu, Tony Leung and Awkwafina.

The Blade reboot will star Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali and Tess Thompson’s Valkyrie will be the first queer Marvel superhero.

The fans spoke and Marvel answered and then some.

People couldn’t be happier

here’s some of the new marvel cast and directors! we’re getting latina, korean american, chinese american, pakistan… https://t.co/cmzYNwjBGA
— my.ka ‎✵ (@my.ka ‎✵) 1563688450

@asherxloren As a plain white male, I'm so damned happy other people get to enjoy these stories and characters as m… https://t.co/eYQIaFJXzw
— Gordon Grainger (@Gordon Grainger) 1563754192

South Korean actor Ma Dong-Seok, who received global acclaim with the horror Train to Busan, is joining The Eternals

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A queer Valkyrie!

we’re also getting bisexual valkyrie!! natalie portman as lady thor!! black captain america!! black panther 2!! cap… https://t.co/XovVafgiNe
— my.ka ‎✵ (@my.ka ‎✵) 1563688453

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Lauren Ridloff will be Marvel's first deaf hero

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I am going to be talking about marvel casting a deaf actress until the end of time tbh this is SO important and a m… https://t.co/7p9RAOxLze
— Soph (@Soph) 1563696926

@MizTeeFranklin @Marvel Hey, as a wheelchair user with one leg, with many deaf friends—I’m jumping for joy on this… https://t.co/1s9bw3C98j
— Jonathan Elliott (@Jonathan Elliott) 1563683266

In 2018 Simu Liu queried Marvel about the possibility of a Shang-Chi movie. Marvel listened.

In 2018 @SimuLiu asked @Marvel to reach out to him about the possibility of a Shang-Chi movie. Now he's starring in… https://t.co/y3MYry3ur6
— Twitter Moments (@Twitter Moments) 1563688850

Fans are celebrating Asian representation - with actors in lead roles, a rarity in Hollywood thus far

Crazy Rich Asians broke the mould and things seem to be going from strength to strength on representation.

#ShangChi starring Tony Leung, @awkwafina, @SimuLiu. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. As a kid, I couldn’t have… https://t.co/E9zdlM49DV
— William Yu 유규호 (@William Yu 유규호) 1563674762

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"It looks like the real America"

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Others are questioning how long Phase 4 will last – will Marvel permanently commit to inclusive character representations or is this a fad?

I have a hard time getting excited by the prospect of LGBTQ+ characters & content in Marvel movies when those momen… https://t.co/jqFb6eZ5k5
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Kayleigh Donaldson) 1563725119

Ok so I'm not a huge #Marvel fan as it is, but does anyone else feel a *little* icky that in this vast #MCU they di… https://t.co/5bKVezMGv5
— LJ Thomas 🏹 (@LJ Thomas 🏹) 1563718644

I'm happy we have more diversity in phase 4 but I'm not overly about to praise the mcu and marvel studios be they w… https://t.co/AUr373y2KG
— hippie Joshl’r ❦ boba spoilers (@hippie Joshl’r ❦ boba spoilers) 1563684896

There is lots of optimism out there, and people are hoping this is the new status quo

All I keep thinking about is how theres going to be kids that are going to grow up in Marvel’s next phase and its g… https://t.co/EJKarBPbTW
— Noelle🥀 (@Noelle🥀) 1563707501

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Wakanda forever

Honestly I’m so glad to see the amount of diversity marvel is adding to is roster. I hope they’ll continue to add m… https://t.co/m9EB4bWQdu
— Jeff! (@Jeff!) 1563720416

And here is remembering what the late Stan Lee, creator of Marvel comics, said about the importance of diversity.

In 2016 he told Huffington Post:

A good many of our people here in America are not white. You’ve got to recognise that and you’ve got to include them in whatever you do.
If my books and my stories can change that, can make people realise that everybody should be equal, and treated that way, then I think it would be a better world.

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