Slowly but surely, Hollywood is beginning to get its bearings when it comes to diverse casting. Franchises like Fast and Furious have capitalized one its careful casting, and its box office returns have proven just how lucrative the decision has been. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is also making strides towards diversity at its own pace. Superheroes like Black Panther and Captain Marvel signals the franchise’s emergent changes, but fans continue to push the MCU to do more faster.
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However, according to one producer, Marvel Studios recognizes how slowly it has moved on the subject. Speaking to Complex, Nate Moore opened up about his executive producing duties and told the publication the MCU wants its diversity push to be quality-based rather than quantity.
“We want to tell the best stories with the strongest developed characters and scripts that we can. Our biggest concern is that, in trying to get more characters out there, we rush something that’s not ready and we deliver something that’s not up to our standards,” Moore revealed. “So it’s less about us rushing a character that’s diverse to get it out quickly and more about figuring out how to do it right.”
Later on in the interview, Moore was asked if Hollywood is becoming more cognizant of the demand for diverse casts. The producer said there has been an industry shift towards the push, and Marvel Studios seems ready to support the movement.
“It’s definitely accelerating,” Moore said. “The conversation has always been there but now, with initiatives like having more diverse members of the Academy [of Motion Pictures and Sciences], all these things are starting to snowballโฆThe more normalized that diversity in film becomes, the more commonplace it’ll become.”
Moore’s explanation is a common one which Hollywood has used when discussing its rambling pitch towards diversity. Indie projects like Get Out needed to prove POC casts could be lucrative, and Wonder Woman’s recent box office pull has put a spotlight on female leads. Various studios have shown a clear interest in diverse casting now that box office returns are proving proof of concept.
Still, audiences are finding themselves increasingly unhappy with explanations like the one Moore has provided. Many ask why C-list franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange can get approval before a major Hollywood actress can nab a superhero role. The notion that diversity takes longer to ‘get right’ others it from Hollywood’s go-to casting of white casts. Or, in Marvel’s case, actors who bear the name Chris. There are countless writers, directors, and actors out there who fall under Hollywood’s diverse umbrella who’ve been left out in the rain. If Hollywood wants to ensure diversity becomes something commonplace, it must take steps to bring in that kind of talent without fear of backlash.
Marvel Studios has taken careful notes on how diversity can be pushed meaningfully into the MCU expansive story. The company’s excuse may not please everyone, but plenty of fans are happy to see the company lay a framework for one impressively diverse cast. Now, all fans have to wait for is to see the studios’ ideas become a reality when they hit theaters.
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Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine — distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.
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[HT] Complex