Ever since Carol Danvers was introduced into the MCU earlier this year in Captain Marvel, fans of the character have been wondering whether she would go on to become the franchise’s first LGBT superhero. Unlike pretty much every other Marvel movie, Carol wasn’t given the typical love interest in her origins story, so it’s up to the confirmed sequel to explore this side of her as a person.
We’ve yet to have an official statement on whether this monumental development could happen, but Marvel Studios’ EP Victoria Alonso has now commented on it, and it seems she’s not ruling out the idea. During her Reddit AMA, one fan asked the producer if it’s possible that “Carol could eventually have a love story with someone of the same sex. I think it would be something incredible on the part of the MCU.”
Alonso’s response offered hope that Carol could enter into a gay relationship in Captain Marvel 2, though she seemed to say it all depended on how the character organically progresses.
“We do not know what the future will give us. I thank you very much for your support and that you like our stories. The character of Carol will have to show us who she wants when she returns with her adventures.”
This is similar to comments made by Captain Marvel co-director Ryan Fleck. Specifically talking about whether Carol’s relationship with Maria Rambeau (played by Lashana Lynch) could deepen into a romantic one in the sequel, the filmmaker explained that there’s “no philosophical opposition” to this idea and that it didn’t happen in the first film simply due to a lack of space.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has gone on record saying that the MCU will push towards better representation and diversity in Phase Four and beyond, with The Eternals likely to feature the franchise’s first LGBT lead. But will Captain Marvel herself follow suit in her self-titled sequel? We’ll just have to wait and see.