Ever since it was announced that the X-Men and Fantastic Four properties would appear in The MCU, there’s been talk. Questions like “Who’ll play which character?” and “How will they be introduced?” have been buzzing around. There’s a lot to speculate here, as it’s rousing curiosity. Fortunately, we’ve been given a small glimpse recently, and it’s quite something: Magneto, the IP’s biggest villain, could be given to a minority actor. Yeah…that surprised me too.
Sufficed to say, internet comic bros didn’t respond well. Between the whole “Not My Magneto” nonsense and insisting that “he has to be a Holocaust survivor”, people are more up in arms over a non-white Magneto than the fact that he’s being recast again. Ignore how two people have already played the character, instead focus on his skin colour! That’ll show ‘em, right?
See, Jews aren’t the only Holocaust survivors. There were plenty of minorities that met terrible fates by the Nazis. Groups like Freemasons, gays, the disabled, Slavs and the like were all victims, but most-interestingly is the whitewashing of the Romani. The Romani persecution under Hitler is overlooked, presumably because the Romani persecution under anyone is overlooked! If Marvel’s looking to diversify, perhaps they can outsource there?
Even outside of that, white Jews, or Ashkenazi Jews, weren’t the only ones who were victims. Many Jews from North Africa also suffered during The Holocaust, albeit not as much. Also, Jewish identity, as I’ve stated before many times, doesn’t end at “white”. I’d even argue that Jews are too distinct to be “white” anyway. Identity doesn’t stop at skin colour, or else Italians would be the same as the British.
I think it’s more offensive that Magneto has yet to be played by a Jewish actor. Nothing against Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender, but they’re not Jews. If people want to be mad about something, why not start there? Why not complain that past X-Men movies didn’t look for Jewish talent when casting? Isn’t that more in-line with Magneto’s character, that he’s Jewish and a Holocaust survivor? Why the double-standard?
I apologize for blowing your minds there. I remember this not going over well on Twitter (one person claimed I had a “bad brain”), but it’s no less true: you can’t be selective. If you’re mad about Magneto being a minority, then you should’ve also been mad that he was played previously by two gentiles. Because either way, it’s not ideal. And besides, a Romani Magneto could be interesting! If MJ can be black now, then why can’t Magneto be a minority too? This isn’t the 1960’s!
Remember James Gunn? Remember him being fired over offensive Tweets from 7 years ago? Remember how he was falsely accused of being a pedophile? And remember how he finally came back as director for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. III? I remember all of it. Fortunately, I also remember how he was given the opportunity to direct The Suicide Squad because of that.
There’s been lots of anticipation over what this semi-reboot of Suicide Squad would be like, but it’s been mostly hush-hush. Or it would’ve been hush-hush, but Gunn recently Tweeted a cast rundown of everyone involved. The obvious choice of Margot Robbie was there, but then you had John Cena, Peter Capaldi and Michael Rooker tagging along too. That’s right, a wrestler, a Doctor and Yondu are all in the casting call. To top it all off, the phrase “Don’t get too attached” was written above the list.
This is all good news! James Gunn has long-since proven that he’s no longer the obnoxious idiot who gave us Super and “Beezel”, and this is another sign that he’s matured. The Suicide Squad looks like something he’s passionate about, and I think he can pull it off. I also like how Gunn, of all people, was chosen for the project. Given that Suicide Squad was desperately trying to be DC’s answer to Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, this is basically full-circle.
Could the movie end up being bad? Possibly. Despite DC’s recent turn-around, they’ve put their foot in their mouth on several occasions. Besides, film is a wildcard medium. Considering how many people are involved in production, something small can always spiral into a bigger problem later on. But I’m hopeful, and Gunn is a big reason why.
Rounding this out is a small, yet significant, piece of MCU news. Remember Iron Man? Remember how he died in The Avengers: Endgame, ending Robert Downey Jr.’s contract? There’s a possibility he’ll come back for Black Widow. Not as a major role, but a cameo.
I know what you’re thinking, but please slow down. For one, Tony’s death still matters. Kevin Feige and company aren’t that callous. And two, it’s a movie set before The Avengers: Infinity War. That’s not cheating any more than Gamora returning in The Avengers: Endgame.
I understand that wanting death to be consequential was a big part of the criticism of The MCU up until recently, and I sympathize. But this isn’t even breaking the rules on Black Widow’s death (remember that?), as it takes place between Captain America: Civil War and The Avengers: Endgame. If anything, this fills the gaps between those two movies, and hopefully it’ll do it well.
I’d be more concerned that it’s another prequel film. The MCU has already had two, and both are more-middling MCU entries. This isn’t to say I don’t enjoy Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain Marvel, I do, but they fall into the common trap of “we know how this ends”. In the case of the former, it led to SHIELD’s foundation. In the case of the latter, it explained why Nick Fury wore an eyepatch, as well as why everyone hated The Kree. Black Widow could end up being yet another victim of “Prequel-itis”, but we’ll see when the time comes.
That about wraps it up for me! Thanks for sticking it out, and, as always, I’ll see you next time!
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