The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is expected to welcome an out lesbian superhero in an upcoming film, “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness,” and her name is… America Chavez!
Viewers got a glimpse of her during the second post-credit scene of the latest MCU film, “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” when a trailer of the Doctor Strange movie was shown.
But… who is the lesbian superhero America Chavez?
A lesbian superhero in the Marvel universe
Before anything else, American will be played by Xochitl Gomez (of Netflix’s “Baby-Sitters Club” reboot). Directing the Dr. Strange movie is Sam Raimi.
In the trailer, she appears standing next to Dr. Strange with her signature jean jacket with the American flag emblazoned on the back.
However, for the movie, America’s age has been aged down from a 21-year old to a 15-year old.
And instead of being Afro-Latina as in the comics, she’s now being played by a non-Black Mexican-American actress.
America is following in the footsteps as the second LGBTQ superhero, the first being Phastos (played by Bryan Tyree Henry), MCU’s first gay superhero in the recent “Eternals” movie.
There’s no one quite like America Chavez
In the Marvel comic book universe, American comes from an alternate utopian universe separate from time and space.
An out lesbian, America is forced into the main timeline and multiverse when both of her mothers sacrifice themselves to save their world.
Following her debut in the Marvel comic book universe, she becomes the first Latin-American queer character to have her own comic book series.
As a superhero, America has the power to punch star-shaped portals through time and the multiverse. She can also fly, has super strength and speed, and is nearly indestructible.
In the comics, her ability to travel through portals in time and her origin from the multiverse is probably what connects her to the Dr. Strange film.
Queer representation in the merchandise
Following the comics and with her appearance on film, America is also set to appear… in toy form.
A LEGO set will feature versions of the superheroes in the movie, from Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Strange, Benedict Wong’s Wong, to Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda, and of course, Gomez’s America.
Others set to appear in the Dr. Strange movie include Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo and Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, reprising their roles from the first Dr. Strange movie.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is scheduled to appear in theaters on May 6, 2022.