An actor in the forthcoming movie The Eternals has revealed that he will be playing a man married to another man.
Marvel’s has long mooted that it wants to boost diversity in the Marvel Universe, with MCU President Kevin Feige telling an audience in New York last October that a forthcoming movie will include LGBTQ representation.
Then, in December, a trailer for the Marvel movie The Eternals screened at a Comic-Con in Brazil. It showed Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry, 37, holding the hand of another man. Fans took this as meaning Phastos would be the gay superhero.
View this post on Instagram
However, some confusion remained because Marvel had reportedly been seeking an out-queer actor for a queer role in the movie. Brian Tyree Henry, known for appearing in Atlanta and If Beale Street Could Talk, has not publicly stated he is gay or bisexual.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Related: Marvel is seeking a gay actor to play an openly queer lead in its upcoming film
However, gay actor Haaz Sleiman has now revealed, via an interview with NewNowNext, that he will be playing Phastos’s husband. He said the couple will be parents to a child, confirming previous details announced by Feige. He also said that they will kiss on screen.
View this post on Instagram
Sleiman, 43, has recently been seen in Apple+ TV’s anthology series, Little America, and before this, Nurse Jackie. He made headlines in 2017 when he came out not only as gay but as a “total bottom.”
In the interview about The Eternals, he said his character is “married to the gay superhero Phastos, played by ‘Atlanta’s’ Brian Tyree Henry, and we represent a gay family and have a child.”
Sleiman also went on to speak about a scene involving the first Marvel Universe same-sex kiss.
“It’s a beautiful, very moving kiss. Everyone cried on set. For me, it’s very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be.
“Brian Tyree Henry is such a tremendous actor and brought so much beauty into this part, and at one point I saw a child in his eyes, and I think it’s important for the world to be reminded that we in the queer community we’re all children at one point. We forget that because we’re always depicted as sexual or rebellious. We forget to connect on that human part.”
The Eternals follows a group of superhumans who derive their powers from genetic meddling by an alien race called the Celestials. It will also feature Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Richard Madden.
The movie features at least 11 ‘Eternals’, so how much screen time each gets remains to be seen. The movie hits theaters on November 6.
Related: Marvel Studios president confirms a gay superhero is coming soon to a theater near you
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
The first thing that comes to mind is the all black casting of Hello Dolly 1967, fifty-three years ago. That was a success and won ol’ Pearl a Tony. Yes kids, that’s what is happening here and guess who the new cast is. I wish them well in repeating that type of success (and for those of you who see thru what I’m getting at here I can’t wait to hear your arguments to the contrary).
Cam
Let me guess, Disney will reduce their participation to two people in a grief counseling session where you can only tell their gay because they hold hands as they’re leaving.
jayceecook
Remember when Queerty kept insisting Richard Madden was going to be the gay character?
Remember how people kept calling BS on that?
Remember when Queerty STILL published article after article that Richard Madden was the out gay actor playing the out gay character in this movie?
Honestly, I’m surprised they didn’t remove Brian Tyree Henry’s name and photo with Madden’s.
Donston
I recall maybe two articles which hinted that perhaps Madden was playing the character. So, you’re greatly over exaggerating. Perhaps you’re thinking of others sites or social media at large. I guess that this is a cute development. But it feels like placating. Who knows? I’m not interested in anything Marvel though.
frapachino
Great! Too bad they picked these 2.
dinard38
Why? Because they’re not super hot GWMs??
tonyocr
People already hate gays so may as well make them super hot.
Prax07
Exactly, since they are not hot gwm’s I couldn’t give two fuks. Because one is a fat black dude I Especially couldn’t give two fuks. Out of all the marvel movies, next to black panther, this is right there with it with having no plans on seeing it.
Cam
Ooooo, one of the troll accounts is testing out what they can get away with under a new screename.
Kangol2
Not hiding your outright white supremacy today, I see. Oh well, girl, BYE!
theafricanwiththemouth
Lol, ID-I-OT
your not seeing it won’t stop it from being the billion dollar, critically acclaimed success it would most likely be, JUST LIKE BLACK PANTHER!!
So drown in your obvious pain, LMAO, we love to see the misery! We just love it!
tonyocr
There is plenty of super hot ,young muscular black dudes. This one just isn’t.
Kangol2
Love this combo, and while I usually pass on superhero movies, I’ll definitely catch this one.
knostic
Representation matters. Period. If you don’t think so, try and imagine what your world would be like if gay characters were still being portrayed onscreen, if at all, as stereotyped buffoons, tragic victims of their own perversions, or psychotic murderers – because that’s the world I grew up in. If I had seen a gay superhero in a movie when I was 14, the entire next 10 years of my life would UNDOUBTEDLY have been so much better.
“It shouldn’t matter,” “who cares if they’re gay?,” and “it’s just for the publicity” are all just as homophobic and offensive as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and it’s time we all just realized that. I, for one, will always make sure and point out to anyone making a comment like that to me that it’s just not okay.