Diversity has come front and center during 2020, whether it’s a discussion of politics, business, or even Hollywood. Hollywood diversity has come under fire as both lacking and frustrating. Marvel Producer Trinh Tran is helping make strides in that area, as her role in film production has grown and ascended through her career with Marvel Studios.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) first hit screens in 2008 with Iron Man. These American superheroes have taken the movie world by storm and become massive hits with a movie after movie. But what does 2021 have in store for the MCU?
In Comic Book News, Matt McGloin writes Diversity is Destroying the MCU; Marvel Producer Confirms It’s the Future. The story goes on to talk about the case of gender-swapping roles. And according to one man, it’s the wrong path to take.
The studio is not only altering the path of original characters but changing things such as gender, race, and sexual orientation just to satisfy the call for diversity. Should a character who’s been written as a man be cast as a woman? Trinh Tran says yes, but some say it’s a mistake.
Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios, in an interview with Matt Goldbert on Collider, said their movies should “…find a unique way to be true to what the character is from the comics and what fans are aware of and expecting.”
But are they expecting such a drastic change from the original character? McGloin goes on in his article to say they should be writing and creating new characters, not replacing male characters with female actresses or female characters with male actors simply to make a point and diversify.
Though, according to an article by Indie Wire, Mark Ruffalo stated that Kevin pushed for change and wanted more diversity both with people of color and LGBT superheroes and was ready to walk if he couldn’t see eye to eye with Disney. Diversity is the wave of the future, and all people should be represented in film and narrative. Though, like every good story, controversy ensued. The fan base wasn’t sure they were ready for what Feige was looking to do.
Box office numbers spoke differently, and maybe it’s a new way of thinking. Avengers: Endgame sold out with lightning speed. Was it to see the dramatic fracturing of the universe or due to a diverse cast and storyline? One can guess both ways, but there’s no definitive answer. On the other hand, on Shondaland, Yolanda Machado writes Meet Marvel’s Secret Weapon: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Executive Producer Trinh Tran. And secret weapon she was when it came to the box office, making heads spin with massive ticket sales.
Trinh Tran says to get used to the diversity and modern twists and changes. With a diverse society, it’s important to represent people more equally. The trend will continue while she’s in charge. Both women and underrepresented people of color need more screen time, and people are embracing the idea.
Marvel is looking at a 2021 release of Black Widow as their next big hit for spring with famous Hollywood celebrity Scarlett Johansson in the lead role. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings won’t be far behind it. Do you agree with Marvel Producer Trinh Tran and MCU 2021’s new blazing trail of diversity? Or do you think that they should create new characters that fit those roles, rather than altering characters who currently exist?
