Image via Marvel Comics
Last year, Marvel Studio’s head Kevin Feige shared that the MCU was going to have openly LGBTQ superheroes. Outside of his, and executive Victoria Alonso’s, comments that the MCU was preparing to represent Latin, Gay, and Asian people, Feige specifically said that already established characters would have their sexual orientations depicted and new LGBTQ heroes would be introduced.
Feige made this statement while talking to The Playlist. When asked if the MCU’s getting Gay, Bi, LGBTQ heroes, Feige said:
At the time, I guessed that some of the heroes we’d already seen were Thor’s friends Korg and Valkyrie, and Black Panther’s bodyguard Ayo. Recently, that guess was confirmed as Valkyrie’s actress Tessa Thompson made a comment at San Diego Comic-Con that the character would be looking for a lover. Feige later confirmed that statement.
But in addition to guessing the already known LGBTQ characters, I guessed which new faces would appear in the MCU. And now, recent movie releases and Phase 4 announcements leave room for more speculation.
Image via Marvel Studios
Hulkling
(Warning: Spoilers for Spider-Man: Far From Home).
Spider-Man: Far From Home dropped at the start of this month to rave reviews and fan enjoyment. It has become the highest-grossing Spider-Man film of all time, and it had some of the best after-credit scenes in superhero history. But we’re not here to talk about that bomb drop of a mid-credits scene. We’re talking about the quick and short end-credit scene involving Nick Fury and the Skrulls.
While Captain Marvel introduced the Skrulls, it was this after credit scene that confirmed fan rumors and speculations for years now. Secret Invasion is coming.
Secret Invasion was a Marvel Comic book event that spanned over several issues and series. Skrull spies had secretly replaced world leaders, superheroes, and everyday citizens. A major war and conquest attempt on Earth then went underway with Queen Veranke leading the charge.
During this storyline, it was revealed that one of Veranke’s biggest threats to ruling was Dorrek VIII, aka Teddy Altman or the Hulking. The Skrull/Kree halfbreed was a legitimate prince in line for royal succession (on top of being a member of the Young Avengers team).
The Skrulls are currently a peaceful race of alien refugees working with Captain Marvel and Nick Fury. That said, the seeds of an invasion, which will probably find its peak sometime post-Phase 4, have already been sown. The Spider-Man end-credit scene revealed that Nick Fury and Maria Hill have been switched out by two Skrull operatives. While they’re doing so in support of humans, it presents the idea that there could be Skrulls hidden anywhere in the MCU.
In addition, the couple had an unnamed daughter in Captain Marvel. Some believe that she will be revealed as the MCU’s Veranke and grow up into the female insurgent that starts Secret Invasion.
With all this in mind, the addition of Hulking to the MCU is probable.
Image via Marvel Studios
Wiccan
Then, the recent Phase 4 announcements bring the inkling of Wican’s introduction.
It was announced that Spring 2021 will see the premiere of new Disney+ series titled WandaVision. In addition, the series will be the catalyst for the story of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness.
Many suspect this will be the MCU’s House of M. The comic series House of M starts with the Scarlett Witch going mad after she loses her husband Vision and her twin sons (who ended up being creations of her magic). She then creates an alternate reality where she and her family (including Quicksilver, Magneto, and sister Polaris) are rulers of the world along with mutant-kind. After that fantasy is ruined, she then utters the iconic words “No more mutants,” which crippled the mutant population.
In the MCU, it appears that Wanda is in the perfect place to start down that storyline. Her brother is dead, her lover Vision is dead, and she has been shown to be growing in power. It would be no surprise if WandaVision is the “House of M” storyline where Wanda creates a reality where her lover (and maybe her brother?) are brought back to life. Then, she will rip open the multiverse in or before Doctor Strange 2.
But could the Multiverse of Madness pop out a surprise LGBTQ character? This Multiverse storyline has many possibilities. Instead of depowering mutants, Wanda could end up bringing them into the MCU. In addition, she could create alternate reality versions of Vision and Quicksilver as a way of bringing them back. And, she could create her twin boys. Only, they will be the grown-up teen versions named Wiccan and Speed.
While it isn’t a sure thing and is purely speculation, this possibility of Wiccan coming to the MCU through this WandaVision/Multiverse of Madness combo is worth mentioning.
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1 / Image via Marvel Comics
Wiccan, Hulkling, & The Young Avengers
Recent MCU movies and the recent Phase 4 announcement have made something clear. The Young Avengers are coming. Cassie Lang, Scott Lang’s daughter, was specifically not snapped away in the blip. Because of that, she aged up into a teenager. In the comics, Cassie Lang later joins the Young Avengers as the hero Stature.
Then, Avengers: Endgame saw Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye) teaching his daughter how to use a bow and arrow. While there were whisperings of Young Avengers there, it was the announcement of Disney+’s Hawkeye series including the character Kelly Bishop that got many excited. Kelly Bishop, for those who don’t know, is not Hawkeye’s daughter but she still takes on the Hawkeye title and mantle.
With these developments in mind, it appears that the MCU is starting to work towards introducing the Young Avengers. And while they probably won’t grow into an active group for a few more years, the characters are appearing in Phase 4.
With that in mind, the idea that Wiccan and Hulkling could be on the way is not so strange. And if so, that means that we would be getting one of the most iconic gay couples in mainstream comics. The Wiccan and Hulkling couple have been celebrated by LGBTQ fans and fans of LGBTQ media for years now. They would be a welcome addition to the most popular film franchise in the world.
Thoughts?
But what do you think? Is there a flaw in my suspicions? Was there something I forgot? And would you be excited to see Wiccan and Hulkling appear on the silver screen? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.
