Gender-Swapped Characters in the MCU:
Phase 3 showed us a gradual transition towards having a much more diverse Cinematic Universe. But now, Marvel is really taking the whole diversity agenda to the next level with Eternals & other Phase 4 projects. In Phase 3, Doctor Strange started off with this move by involving a gender-swap and people of different ethnicities. Then Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp & Captain Marvel continued with more diversity promoting elements. The one factor that allows this is the Gender-swapping of some of the comic book characters. Marvel has really used this move to their advantage. There are six instances of gender swaps in the MCU. Here are all the characters that are males in the comics but have been turned into females within the MCU for SJW motives and to make the stories better:
The Ancient One
This was an extremely wise decision on the part of Marvel as they were able to use Tilda Swinton’s acting abilities very cleverly. She appeared as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame, and could return in Doctor Strange 2 as well. But, if Marvel would have followed the comics, they would have cast an old Asian actor with a long beard for the role. Imagine Dumbledore, but slimmer.
Ghost
Ant-Man and the Wasp followed the Doctor Strange pattern. Ghost was a male in the comics but Ant-Man and the Wasp brought Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr. Even though we haven’t spent a lot of time with her character, we know that her arc in the MCU isn’t complete. Till date, her fate is dangling as a cliffhanger. But rumors suggest that she will return in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as a part of the Thunderbolts.
Mar-Vell
In the comics, Mar-Vell aka Dr. Walter Lawson was a male. He was the original Captain Mar-Vell, whose title was later taken by Carol Danvers. Initially, we thought that Jude Law was cast as Mar-Vell, but it turned out that he was the villainous Yon Rogg. Annette Bening on the other hand played a gender swapped version of Mar-Vell aka Dr. Wendy Lawson. It was a cool twist that linked with the Supreme Intelligence as well.
Makkari
In Eternals, Makkari will be the first ever live action Superhero who is deaf. Comic book readers are aware that Makkari is a male, but we’d see a female version of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Lauren Riddloff has been cast to play the speedster among the Eternals. Since the MCU doesn’t have a female speedster, this move will prove to be very wise.
Sprite
This Eternal is stuck in a child’s body as she cannot grow. Sprite is a master illusionist and a trickster. Imagine an immortal kid Loki. She is another one of MCU’s gender swaps as Sprite is a male in the comics. Lia McHugh is supposed to play the character in Eternals next year. Marvel could have a lot of fun with Sprite in particular.
Eternals – Ajak
Ajak is the leader of Eternals and he is also a male character in the comics. But, we’d see a female version of Ajak on the big screen as Salma Hayek is portraying her. Ajak is an excellent hand to hand combatant and a plot leak has suggested that she will have a special ability which will allow her to heal others.
Let’s see which other characters will be gender-swapped in future MCU projects.
