X-Men Marvel film: Controversial star tipped for gay hero Iceman and fans are NOT happy
THE X-MEN are finally coming to the MCU and a major but controversial star is lining up to play gay superhero Iceman. There have already been protests from fans and other Hollywood stars who have 'beef' with this star getting the role.
Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson plays a KGB assassin in trailer
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to steam ahead. After the blockbusting finale to the first three phases in Avengers Endgame, it is time to shake things up. MCU boss Kevin Feige is committed to pushing boundaries and embracing bold choices. It paid off with the unknown Guardians of the Galaxy. But the one thing Marvel fans have wanted longer than anything is a the return home of the X-Men.
The mutants have been trapped in an alternate big screen universe at 20th Century Fox while the main Marvel universe took over cinemas for a decade. Now they are back home and Feige has big plans.
Among them is greater representation for minorities. First up will be the movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The Eternals will already feature an openly gay hero in Brian Tyree Henry's Phastos but the X-Men broke huge ground in the comics way back when Iceman came out and it looks like that story is now in the process of being brought to life.
The latest talk is that Shia Labeouf is being lined up. So, what's the beef with Labeouf?
READ MORE: Avengers film order: Iron Man to Endgame - movie series chronology
The actor became a huge star in the Transformers franchise before stepping back from mainstream Hollywood.
He hit headlines appearing on red carpets for the outrageous film Nymphomaniac with a paper bag over his head and has avoided big budget productions for the last decade.
So, he is a bold choice but early reports indicated Marvel was keen to get him into the MCU. Initially he was being pursued to play anti-hero Moon Knight but now Hollywood insiders and actor are reacting to the idea of him as Iceman.
One of the loudest voices is the brother of major MCU star Chris Evans.
Evans who played Capatain America has a gay brother Scott.
He wrote: "I am a Shia fan. But can Iceman, a prominent gay character in the comic books, PLEASE be played by a gay man?"
Various other Hollywood figures joined the cry, with some making suggestions of out actors who could take the role.
READ MORE: Thor Love and Thunder: Natalie Portman details UNEXPECTED change
Captain Marvel 2: Avengers star Brie Larson could see HUGE change
Avengers Endgame: Marvel star breaks silence on being AXED from film
Hey @MarvelStudios, here are some gay actors for you to consider for Iceman instead of Shia LaBeouf...: pic.twitter.com/OMCNqxWAkZ
— Mountain Man (@BJKZ2010) August 10, 2020
Screenwriter and comic writer Joe Glass immediately suggested possible stars who could play Iceman.
He wrote: "No, Marvel, please hire a gay actor. Give Shia someone else, but why cast him as Iceman when Ben Whishaw, Andrew Rannells, Kit Williamson and John Halbach are RIGHT THERE! There, did you’re job for ya. And that’s just a handful."
Others have suggested out actors like Kyle XY pin-up Matt Dallas and Glee star Jonathan Groff.
Nobody at all has disputed Shia's acting chops, just the eternal debate on whether minority characters should be played by minority actors.
Casting processes in Hollywood are often long and tortured so nothing is certain yet.
What seems more certain is that there will be no X-Men film for many years to come.
The MCU slate is already full. However, Feige is reported to planning on phasing in X-Men heroes through other movies, in the same way other characters cameod in films before their own specific projects.