We Rated the Upcoming Comic Book Film & TV Projects by How Gay They’ll Be
Hey, gay comic book movie fans, you probably already know that real LGBTQ representation in upcoming comic book movies is on the way! But where will it pop up? With many projects getting delayed, the scheduling for upcoming comic book movies and TV series has been rocky at best. But that also has increased the hype for some of the LGBTQ representation that’s on the horizon for these films (and some streaming programs).
If you’re a gay comic book movie fan and want to know which upcoming comic book movies are on the horizon up to 2022, I’ve got you covered. And we also take a look at how gay each of these upcoming comic book movies are, asking “But how gay is it?” Is a gay comic book movie in the cards for 2021??
Here are 8 of the biggest upcoming comic book movies and TV projects (but note that release dates may change):
1. WandaVision – December 2020
The first project on our list isn’t even one of the upcoming comic book movies but is perhaps the most anticipated project on our list. Releasing on Disney+ at the end of this year is this six-hour miniseries starring the Scarlet Witch and Vision. The series will depict Wanda as she’s created her own happy family life with the deceased Vision and two adorable kids through magic. But what happens when that magical world comes tumbling down? Watch the mind-blowing trailer here.
But how gay is it? Maybe not so much at first glance, but super gay in the long run. The reason being that those magical sons will eventually grow up to be Young Avengers named Wiccan and Speed. Wiccan happens to be half of one of the most popular gay superhero couples in comics (with hubby Hulkling). And the recent “Empyre” comic book arc introduced the idea that Speed is bi-curious and repeatedly makes out with his bisexual teammate Prodigy. These characters will probably be introduced as children who eventually grow up to their pre-teen ages. But gay comic book movie fans rejoice: this is potentially a huge setup for queer representation in future upcoming comic book movies and other projects!
2. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – 2021
This is another Disney+ series. This time, you get a series merging the ‘buddy cop’ and superhero genres as The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) team up to defeat some sort of evil threat. And that’s really all us gay comic book movie fans know for sure. Well, that and Baron Zemo (the villain from Captain America: Civil War) will return, and new longtime comics character U.S. Agent will be introduced.
But how gay is it? Sadly, not very. Though there has been some speculation that the previously mentioned bisexual teen hero Prodigy could be introduced here, that’s just an unsubstantiated rumor for now. We’re just crossing our fingers for a few — or several — Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan shirtless scenes!
3. The Suicide Squad 2 – August 6, 2021
The Suicide Squad fights again! This is yet another sequel with an as-yet-unknown plot. What we do know is that gay comic book movie fan favorites like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and the hilarious Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) will return. James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) will be writing and directing, and he’s already proven he can handle a superhero team flick like no other. And this time around, big-name stars like John Cena, Idris Elba, Nathan Fillion and Pete Davidson have been added to the rather lengthy team roster. Watch the full character reveal here.
But how gay is it? While Harley Quinn is canonically bisexual in the comics and her hit animated TV series, we can only hope that will be represented in upcoming comic book movies. And if it is, please god let it not be presented as a joke or simply as eye-candy for the straight dudes. Yuck. But also, with the new Suicide Squad roster being as long as it is, maybe — just maybe — we’ll see a queer (anti-)hero in the film.
4. The Eternals – November 5, 2021
This is Marvel Studios’ next big risk, because they’re introducing unpopular — or at least unknown — characters. The Eternals are a league of powerful aliens who have lived among humans on Earth for centuries as their protectors. With a star-studded cast (Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Don Lee, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington and more), this movie is bound to bring in moviegoers — gay comic book movie fans and some non-fans alike.
But how gay is it? This will be the first Marvel film with an openly gay comic book movie superhero. Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos) will play a gay hero who is also married and a father. (Haaz Sleiman plays his character’s husband.) The film will also feature the MCU’s first-ever gay kiss, and actor Sleiman has said “It’s a beautiful, very moving kiss,” and that when it was filmed, everyone who was on set was in tears. Aww!
5. Thor: Love and Thunder – February 11, 2022
Here’s what we know about this fourth Thor film: The God of Thunder has found his way back into space thanks to the Guardians of the Galaxy, and he’s also found his way back to old flame Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who will officially take on the powers and mantle of Thor. (The story of Jane Foster’s female Thor was previously played out in the comics.) We’re also going to see Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) again.
But how gay is it? Marvel added this film to the list of upcoming comic book movies during last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, which is also where Tessa Thompson shared that Thor 4 will finally show the bisexual hero searching for her queen. And the idea of Jane Foster taking on the mantle of a heretofore super-masc hero … that’s pretty damn queer, too, and we’re here for it.
6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – March 25, 2022
Doctor Strange returns, this time to fix what has gone terribly wrong. After Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared that this movie will be a horror film affected by what happens in WandaVision, fans have started to piece together the film’s main concept. We’re guessing Wanda has ripped open reality and the multiverse is pouring into the MCU. With rumors going around that Marvel is in talks with actors like Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt to play alternate universe Avengers, this film is looking to be a lot of fun.
But how gay is it? The ‘big gay news’ surrounding this film is that bisexual Young Avenger America Chavez, aka Ms. America, will appear in this movie. Marvel recently announced that Xochitl Gomez (of Netflix’s The Babysitter’s Club series) was cast in the film, and many suspect she’ll be playing that role.
7. Black Panther 2 – May 6, 2022
Very little is known about this movie, and with Chadwick Boseman dying from cancer (may he rest in peace) earlier this year, even more is up in the air. Will the title of Black Panther be passed down to his sister, Shuri, as many gay comic book movie fans are hoping? We’ll see!
But how gay is it? One aspect we can speculate on is how the film will handle Black Panther’s Dora Milaje. The Dora Milaje are the Black Panther’s royal guards, and in the comics, Ayo (who had a fairly minor role in the first film) is gay and dating another guard. A storyline like this could get explored in Black Panther 2.
8. Captain Marvel 2 – July 8, 2022
Lastly, we have Captain Marvel 2, which is rumored to be either an A-Force film or an introduction to the famed “Secret Invasion” comic book story arc. A-Force is Marvel’s all-female kick-ass team, and was teased in Avengers: Endgame. Meanwhile, “Secret Invasion” — in which Marvel heroes discover the alien Skrull shapeshifter race has infiltrated humankind — has been teased by both the first Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
But how gay is it? If the Skrulls do become the focus of Captain Marvel 2, it would be a great time for Hulkling (Wiccan’s boyfriend-turned-husband who happens to be part-Skrull) to appear. And rumors/insider info suggest that could be exactly what Marvel is considering.
