Watch: Incredible trailer brings gay superheroes to life
They might not be appearing on the big screen any time soon… but a new trailer brings LGBT superheroes to life.
The Shape History campaign, in conjunction with MCM Comic Con, put together an amazing video amid calls for more LGBT heroes to be portrayed in Hollywood blockbusters.
The clip, which was screened at Comic Con this weekend, shows superheroes being accurately brought to life and calls for studios such as Marvel and DC to include more diverse characters in their films.
Director Mike Buonaiuto, said: “We hope that we can demonstrate to the studios that there is a huge audience for accurate LGBT portrayal on the big screen, and it won’t deter cinema-goers to buy tickets.”
Pansexual superhero Deadpool starred in his own film earlier this year – but though he was seen flirting indiscriminately with men and women, the story revolved around a heteronormative relationship.
Likewise, the #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend campaign has trended on Twitter after Marvel ‘s Captain America films teased his incredibly close relationship with childhood friend Bucky Barnes.
While many characters are LGBT in their original comic book, the plotlines are often ditched for film adaptations.
Mystique, Iceman and Catwoman are just some of the characters that have been ‘desexualised’ or turned heterosexual for their on-screen appearances.
The Marvel Universe has been bashed for its lack of diversity by both fans and critics. The typical straight, white, male hero isn’t cutting it anymore and the studio needs to step up its game.
The blockbuster film and TV universe – which spans from Iron Man and the Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy – has portrayed hundreds of characters and dozens of superheroes, but is lacking in LGBT diversity.
Gay characters have been introduced on Marvel TV shows Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Jessica Jones – but neither of the shows have the mass-market reach of the core MCU films – which are pushed across the world, including in countries with anti-LGBT laws.
Kevin Fiege, president of Marvel Studio’s previously promised that an LGBT character would feature in a film within the next decade, but there is still no sign of an LGBT hero.
Captain America: Civil War directors Joe and Anthony Russo remain hopeful that the Marvel Universe will likely break the barrier at some point.
The Russo siblings said previously: “I think the chances are strong.
“I mean, it’s incumbent upon us as storytellers who are making mass-appeal movies to make mass-appeal movies, and to diversify as much as possible.”
