The only hero his age in the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-man needs to represent the morals and attitudes of the upcoming generation. With Gen Z proving to be very open with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, it would make sense their hero supports those ideals.
That is why the new Spider-man film is making waves as the first superhero film to cast out trans actors, according to the Advocate.
The news was first seen in a Twitter post, and confirmed with an Instagram photo from Tom Holland.
not only that, but we have two trans actors playing students as well, one of which is a black man. ffh is going to… https://t.co/5hE8B9kOkE— jules (@jules) 1538273250
Spider-man: Far From Home has cast Zach Barack as a high school friend of Peter Parker. This is Barack's first feature film. The actor shared initial hints about his involvement on social media.
Tyler Luke Cunningham is also in the film as a featured extra. Cunningham is known to British audiences for his work in Boy Meets Girl, a BBC sitcom. The actor had also teased his involvement with the film on social media.
This is some pretty great news!
Spider-Man was my first Marvel hero and my first crush. I know corporations bad but for once I’m so glad to see my… https://t.co/mzJJojNCcP— unforeseen mikeyquences (@unforeseen mikeyquences) 1547673318
However, Marvel hasn't had the best record with representation. Both Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther were going to have characters who were LGBTQ+ but had references to their sexuality cut out of the film.
While there's been talk about including queer characters, it seems at the very least Marvel is now taking a step in the right direction by casting trans actors.
But their past record still worries some people.
@TheAdvocateMag @outmagazine Let’s hold off until the actual movie comes out to see how it is handled first.— Eva Styles (@Eva Styles) 1547612296
@TheAdvocateMag Happy but also afraid what if they delete the transgender scenes— jasmee jass (@jasmee jass) 1547614884
@nativebear99 Yeah, when they’re brave enough to make a trans spider-man it’s all me— thejackway (@thejackway) 1547595444
While they aren't at the forefront yet, Marvel Comics does have trans and non-binary characters. Ken Shiga AKA. Koi Boi in the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl series has been confirmed to be transgender. Other heroes such as the Skrull Xavin are aliens without a societal attachment to gender.
Which has led some to call for Spider-man to be transgender, if he isn't already.
Yeah, you didn't get me as trans Peter Parker, but Spider-Man: Far From Home is the first Marvel film to cast trans… https://t.co/PkgqOaImas— Jesse Nowack (@Jesse Nowack) 1547671765
Spider-Man is trans u fools how could you ever believe otherwise???— chris™️ (@chris™️) 1547427016
As the MCU continues on, new actors and roles will be brought on. While we don't know when superhero films will start casting LGBTQ+ actors in bigger roles, or when they will start bringing those characters to audiences, this kind of casting announcement is definitely a positive move.