Game of Thrones star Kit Harington, who has no current connection to the Marvel Universe films, suggested Wednesday that the comic book blockbusters should feature more gay superheros in an effort to combat “toxic masculinity.”
Harington was in Toronto promoting his movie “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” when he was asked about LGBTQ superhero equality.
“There’s a big problem with masculinity and homosexuality that they can’t somehow go hand in hand,” Harington said. “That we can’t have someone in a Marvel movie who’s gay in real life and plays some super hero. I mean, when is that going to happen?”
In fairness, Harington’s statements are unclear and he could be talking about casting gay actors as superheroes, and not casting superheroes who have LGBTQ aliases, but either way, Harington is a little behind on the times, especially if he’s using the “Marvel” brand name as a placeholder for comic book movies and television shows, generally.
The gender-fluid John Barrowman has been a key element of the Doctor Who series for decades now, Alan Cumming played a villain in the X-Men movies, Sir Ian McKellen defined the role of Magneto. Ellen Page played Kitty Pryde. Ezra Miller plays the Flash in both the DC shows and movies.
Marvel’s new show, “Runaways” is meant to reflect modern times, and stars several up-and-coming actors and actresses playing teenagers struggling with their gender and sexuality. Other Marvel characters, like Ayo from “Black Panther” and the Valkyries in “Thor: Ragnarok” just haven’t explored their sexuality on screen, mostly because they’re time is spent kicking butt. Deadpool is … er … well, he’s something.
As for toxic masculinity, well, Harington himself plays the not-so-bright Jon Snow, who’s defined more by his roguish good looks, his rippling muscles and his regular shirtless-ness than his woke feminism.