MCU: 10 LGBT+ Roles The Actors Had Outside Of Marvel

Maybe it’s the fact that Venom is now considered by some to be a cult LGBT film or the fact that some Star Wars characters are considered a part of the LGBT community by fans, but LGBT characters are now becoming more common, especially on TV.

In fact, it’s surprising how many MCU actors have actually played LGBT characters before some time or another in their careers. This list does not feature all of them, but here are 10 LGBT+ roles the MCU actors have had outside of Marvel.

Stumptown (2019-present) – Cobie Smulders

“Stumptown” is a nickname for Portland, Oregon where the series takes place. Based on the comic-book of the same name, Stumptown follows Dex Parios, a military veteran and private investigator who takes care of her brother while struggling with PTSD and trying to repay debt.

Cobie Smulders – who plays Maria Hill in the MCU – portrays Dex Parios. Dex is bisexual as she had dated both men and women in the past while also getting together with another female character on the show.

The Normal Heart (2014) – Mark Ruffalo

Based on a play of the same name, The Normal Heart is set during the rise in 1981-1984 of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City. It follows Ned Weeks, a writer and activist who is the founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group.

In the MCU, Ruffalo plays Bruce Banner also known as the Hulk. In this movie, he plays Ned Weeks who also happens to be gay. Other prominent LGBT characters are Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts) and Felix Turner (Matt Bomer).

Political Animals (2012) – Sebastian Stan

Sebastian Stan has actually played several LGBT characters and even one very popular character who is supposedly either gay or bisexual according to fans (none other than Stan’s role in the MCU – Bucky Barnes).

His most prominent role though is that of T.J. Hammond in Political Animals, the first openly gay son of a former United States President. He also has an affair with a closeted, married Congressman.

Wonder Boys (2000) – Robert Downey Jr.

In the 2000 movie called Wonder Boys, starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire (the first actor who played Spider-Man), and others.

Downey Jr. plays Terry Crabtree, an editor who meets up with Douglas’s and Maguire’s characters to discuss Douglas’s character’s possible new book. As a result, Downey Jr.’s and Maguire’s characters spend the night together.

The Imitation Game (2014) – Benedict Cumberbatch

Though you might have heard of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock who might be gay, Cumberbatch actually played another gay character. In fact, his Alan Turing in The Imitation Game was a real British cryptanalyst.

His fate is quite tragic. After World War II ended, Turing was convicted of indecency because of being gay. He then underwent chemical castration and died of suicide.

Hannibal (2013-2015) – Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen played Kaecilius in Doctor Strange and might not return, but he definitely had a memorable performance. But the character he is most famous for is Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal.

It is never said or shown in the show explicitly, but according to the series creator, Hannibal is omnisexual and in love with his patient and friend Will Graham.

Jojo Rabbit (2019) – Sam Rockwell

Another two characters who are never said or shown to be gay but have numerous hints around them that point to it are the two Nazi officers in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit.

One of them is played by Sam Rockwell who played Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2. In interviews, both Waititi and Rockwell referred to the two Nazis as being gay, so their sexuality has been confirmed even though it wasn’t really shown on screen.

Carol (2015) – Cate Blanchett

In the MCU, Cate Blanchett played Thor’s and Loki’s sister and the goddess of death Hela. In Carol, one of the most prominent LGBT films of the past decade, she played Carol Aird.

Rooney Mara played the main character, a young photographer Therese Belivet. Therese has an affair with an older woman named Carol who is going through a painful divorce.

Euphoria (2019-present) – Zendaya

HBO’s Euphoria is currently considered one of the best shows of the past few years. One of its most notable features is the diverse cast and the equally diverse abundance of characters.

Zendaya – who plays MJ in the MCU – has the titular role of Rue who is pansexual. Other LGBT characters include transgender Jules (who Rue has a crush on), non-binary TC and Anna, and others.

Brokeback Mountain (2005) – Jake Gyllenhaal

Brokeback Mountain is considered one of the best LGBT films of all time. It was deemed absolutely groundbreaking when it was released in 2005. Interestingly, both lead actors have played in superhero movies.

Heath Ledger portrayed the iconic Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy while Jake Gyllenhaal played Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Both characters in Brokeback Mountain are either bisexual or gay.