Joe Locke Joins MCU as a Queer Actor & Character, Marking a Milestone in LGBTQ+ Representation That Just Keeps Growing

As a long-time gamer and avid Marvel fan, I am thrilled about the upcoming “Agatha All Along” series. The potential connection between Joe Locke‘s Billy Kaplan and the Scarlet Witch has me on the edge of my seat!


Following the launch of “Deadpool & Wolverine”, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is preparing for the premiere of “Agatha All Along”. This series serves as a continuation from “WandaVision” and is part of the MCU’s “Vision” trilogy. In “Agatha All Along”, Agatha Harkness, having escaped her confinement, aims to regain her powers by traveling along the Witches’ Path.

Judging from what we’ve observed so far, Joe Locke’s character, Billy Kaplan, appears to be pivotal in this storyline. It seems he will carry great importance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), not only as a central figure in Agatha’s journey but also due to his possible connection to the Scarlet Witch.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Joe Locke’s character holds importance not just for the plot but also for enhancing LGBTQ+ representation. Kaplan will join a group of characters who identify within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, similar to Tessa Thompson’s bisexual Valkyrie and Brianna Hildebrand’s queer Negasonic Teenage Warhead from the Deadpool series. While the MCU includes LGBTQIA+ characters like Phastos (from Eternals), Loki, Sylvie, and Korg, their portraying actors have not publicly declared their queer identity.

The inclination towards more diverse representation in media is strong, as demonstrated by the following developments. RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shea Couleé marks a milestone by becoming Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first non-binary actor, joining the cast of Ironheart. Meanwhile, Michaela Coel takes on the role of queer character Aneka in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and The Marvels subtly suggests a potential romantic connection between Captain Marvel and Valkyrie.

On the other hand, with the growing portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this inclusivity has stirred up more criticism. Notably, since Phase 4 brought forth more progressive elements, there seems to be a decline in viewership and a change in how MCU films fare financially at the box office.

Before the debut of Locke’s show on Disney+, there have been criticisms leveled at both his character and him personally by some fans.

It was like, ‘Oh, why has Marvel done this campy gay stereotype?’” It really annoyed me because I was like, ‘You can’t ask for authentic casting and then be upset if you have a camp character.’” I’m fully aware that the Marvel fandom is far less nice than the ‘Heartstopper’ fandom. There’s going to be a lot of people that just hate everything about the character and everything about what I’ve done with it, and I just have to be OK with that. Marvel fans are very open with their opinions. But they’re not in a Marvel show, so—” I’m doing the one thing that they really wish they could be doing. Sorry!

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2024-09-02 11:44