The Diverse Marvel Universe
Phase 4 introduces new, diverse characters that reflect their global audience.
By Cahaya Ratomo and Rizqika A.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a Hollywood film franchise that encompasses a series of superhero films and TV shows, released in parts called Phases. Each of these sections stars a series of films that participate in an ongoing saga, such as Phase 1, which featured character origin films and The Avengers, while its following part introduced brand- new characters in The Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man.
In Phase 3, we witness the downfall of the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, the rise of Black Panther and Captain Marvel, and the duology that marked the end of the original Avengers; Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
However, despite the success and attention towards these recognizable Marvel movies, diversification has been very minimal in their first three phases, with the representation of the African American community only arising in Black Panther in 2018, along with even less portrayal of other races as of 2019.
Still, with the upcoming release of Phase 4, which includes The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Eternals, diversification now appears a greater priority in the MCU.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Marvel’s second miniseries, tackles issues such as racism and white privilege in the United States, two topics which have significantly advanced the world following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Referring to this unfair treatment that many African-Americans face, Sam Wilson (Falcon) vowed to carry the symbolic Captain America shield despite staring in the face of disenchantment and disapproval, as he believed that “we [as a society] can do better” regarding racial acceptance.
Wilson expressed his frustration of how society favors those who look like Steve Rogers; those with blonde hair, light skin, and blue eyes; and how many individuals exclusively make those features the requirements of what their ideal Captain America should look like, rather than the values they should hold.
“I have always included minority characters in my stories, often as heroes. We live in a diverse society; in fact, a diverse world, and we must learn to live in peace and with respect for each other.”
The following installation in Phase 4 is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which features the first Asian protagonist that has ever been the focus of a Marvel movie. The movie’s soundtrack, titled Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings: The Album, was entirely composed and produced by 88rising, a music collective that focuses on the talents of Asian and Asian-American artists. The soundtrack reflects the label’s mission by emphasizing the talents of Indonesian, Asian-American, African-American, and multiracial artists.
The upcoming movie Eternals features stars of diverse cultural backgrounds, along with Oscar-winning director and Chinese immigrant Chloé Zhao.
Eternals also proves a major step of representation for the LGBTQIA+ community, as the film is set to feature Phastos, depicted raising a child with his husband, and with whom he shares an onscreen kiss. Lauren Ridloff’s female Makkari, the MCU’s first deaf superhero and a character who was originally depicted as male in the comics, is also set to debut in Eternals.
From left to right: Phase 4 superheroes Falcon, Shang-Chi, and Phastos (left to right).
Diego A.
It is clear that the MCU is broadening to represent more diverse classes, despite what critics may say about the seemingly controversial direction the franchise is headed in.
As Marvel releases more of Phase 4, we as viewers are excited to wit- ness more of the representation the MCU has in store for us; including the re-introduction of Valkyrie from Thor: Ragnarok in her next major screening.
As said by Marvel’s executive producer Victoria Alonso on Shang- Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, “It’s not just one superhero that is Asian. It’s an almost entirely Asian cast. [Shang-Chi] is our love letter, in a way, to that superhero, but also to the community.”
Volume 32, Issue 1 - October 21, 2021 - Timeout - Page 17