“The world isn’t as simple as a straight white guy.”
Tom Holland has called for more diversity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The British actor, who currently plays Peter Parker (Spider-Man) in the acclaimed superhero franchise, was questioned on whether we can expect the inclusion of a major LGBTQ character in the future, to which he said: “Yeah of course.
“I can’t talk about the future of the character because honestly I don’t know and it’s out of my hands. But I do know a lot about the future of Marvel, and they are going to be representing lots of different people in the next few years.”
Holland continued further: “The world isn’t as simple as a straight white guy. It doesn’t end there, and these films need to represent more than one type of person.”
Earlier this year, Marvel executives confirmed that future Marvel films will start becoming more diverse. Speaking to Vulture, Victoria Alonso, the studio’s executive vice-president said she hoped Marvel would set the standard with diversity.
“We’re just determined to have it be how we do it,” she said. “And if we do it, maybe somebody else will do it. I encourage every studio, every indie production company, every filmmaker out there to make an effort.”
And Sarah Halley Finn, the casting director for every Marvel film since Iron Man, said: “You’re gonna see even more new faces — and faces from all different background, all ages, all ethnicities, LGBTQ, people who are differently abled.
“It’s a priority to have authenticity, to increase representation, to give greater representation to actors who have not traditionally been represented in mainstream movies on the big screen.”
The latest adventure in the MCU, Spider-Man: Far From Home, will be released in UK cinemas on 2 June. It has so far received widespread praise from fans and critics, who have deemed it a worthy successor to Avengers: Endgame.
The film also stars Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J.B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon and Marisa Tomei – watch the trailer for Far From Home below.
Related: Brie Larson wants Marvel to “move faster” with LGBTQ representation.