Eternals Producer Responds to LGBTQ Representation Criticism
Eternals producer, Victoria Alonso, responds to critics of LGBTQ representation, saying diversity and inclusion is a duty, not a political game.
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Eternals producer, Victoria Alonso, has responded to criticism of the LBGTQ representation in the film with a passionate discussion on the responsibility of being inclusive and diverse. Eternals premiered on November 5, 2021, and follows The Eternals, immortal and superpowered beings who have secretly lived on earth for centuries to fight the Deviants. When the Deviants resurface, The Eternals are forced to reunite and rise once more to fight them. The film was directed by award-winning writer and director Chloé Zhao and featured an A-list cast including Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Gemma Chan, and Brian Tyree Henry.
The film has received mixed reviews, and a surprisingly low rotten tomatoes score for a Marvel movie. These mixed reviews are likely partially due to the very daring nature of Eternals. Eternals is one of the most diverse MCU films yet and was the very first to feature a deaf superhero and an openly gay superhero. The LGBTQ representation has resulted in some criticism as one of The Eternals, Phastos, is an openly gay man and is shown exchanging a kiss with his husband, Ben Stoss. Kevin Feige has confirmed Eternal’s gay superhero is just the start of representation in the MCU. While many celebrate this stride for the MCU, others have been critical of the LGBTQ representation.
As reported by Variety, Alonso gave a passionate speech at the Outfest Legacy Awards as a response to the LGBTQ criticism. First, Alonso explained that it is typical for there to be critics and that it is alright to be one. However, she also wanted to point out to such critics that diversity and representation aren’t about a political agenda or “game.” Rather, it is a very serious and real responsibility that comes with having a global audience. With a global audience, success is very dependent on people around the world seeing themselves represented. Check out her statement below:
We have tried to stir it up and sometimes the critics are not with us. That’s OK. That’s OK. We thank you for being a critic. We thank you for writing about us. And the fans will decide. Diversity and inclusion is not a political game for us. It is 100 percent a responsibility because you don’t get to have the global success that we have given the Walt Disney Company without the support of people around the world of every kind of human there is.
Alonso’s speech is a very classy and concise response to those who continue to criticize representation. When there is representation and diversity in a film, critics like to insist that it is somehow political in nature. The reality is simply that Hollywood is learning that diversity and representation is a true responsibility and is necessary for success. Every individual wants to see themselves on the big screen and know that their ethnicity, history, and way of life is being celebrated. Critics of Marvel’s Eternals are certainly entitled to their opinion but also need to recognize that diversity and representation will continue to grow.
Overall, Eternals was a daring film that created a lot of firsts for the MCU. The film was certainly unique in many more aspects, as well, with Zhao and much of the cast not having a big history in the superhero genre. Their unique perspective can definitely be seen in the film’s casting choices, historical scenes, and plot. With a film that is so unique and historical, it is difficult to understand why such a large conversation would arise from the featuring of a gay superhero. The relationship was hardly a central or overbearing aspect of the plot; it was merely one component of a character’s identity. Such criticism definitely illustrates that LGBTQ representation doesn’t occur frequently enough. With Alonso’s and Marvel’s support of Eternals’ diversity, however, this problem may begin to be resolved as Hollywood makes steps to normalize diversity and representation.
Link Source : https://screenrant.com/eternals-lgbtq-representation-criticism-producer-response/