Last summer, Kevin Feige announced that Marvel would continue its push toward diversity on the big screen by featuring an openly gay character in the upcoming Eternals movie. Marvel has been keeping the identity of this character under wraps. But in a new interview with Logo, Haaz Sleiman revealed his involvement in the film, Sleiman also shared that he’s playing the husband of Brian Tyree Henry’s character, the Eternal known as Phastos.
Sleiman didn’t say whether his character is mortal or if he has powers like his onscreen husband. Regardless, he did confirm what Feige told fans almost a year ago, which is that Phastos and his husband are raising a child together. Sleiman also promised that one scene in Eternals shows the couple kissing.
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“For me it’s very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be,” said Sleiman. “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 were 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.”
Earlier this week, Taika Waititi reiterated his openness to exploring Valkyrie’s sexuality in Thor: Love and Thunder next year. However, Waititi also said this will ultimately be Marvel’s call to make.
Eternals opens in theaters on November 6.
What do you think about the news that Phastos will be Marvel Studios’ first openly gay hero? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: The Eternals by Jack Kirby Vol. 1
