Film diversity

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-50970519?fbclid=IwAR081L6S25hcWcM_1BxTGbh76kY4cRkj6SWywbLQwGEMNClaaA1C-i1Knd0

There are reports that Marvel will include a character who is transgender in a future film. There will also be a character who is gay and another who is deaf. In the film "The Eternals" there will be the first Asian-American superhero.

Kevin  Feige, the boss of Marvel Studios says, "We want the movies to reflect the audience and we want every member of our global audience to see themselves reflected on the screen."

When speaking about the new Thor film released in 2021, the actor Tessa Thompson who plays Valkyrie was asked what her character would do in her new role as King of the new Asgard. Tessa replied, "As a new King, she needs to find her Queen".

Speaking about the gay character in  'The Eternals', Kevin said, "He's married, he's got a family, that's just part of who he is."

What do you see in the picture?
where is the photo taken from?

explain the story

- what do you notice about the characters in the picture? (all different)
- "we want every member of our global audience to see themselves reflected on screen" what does this mean?
- who goes to see films? (everyone- different race, religion, sexual orientation, disability)
- why do Marvel Studios want people to see themselves 'reflected on screen'?
- what does this tell us about Marvel Studios and their attitude to being different?
- why do you think until now there has never been an Asian-American superhero?
- why it this changing?
- "as a new King she needs to find a Queen" why is this an interesting quote?
- Marvel say there will be superheroes who are deaf, or who are gay; what does this show us bout how the world in 2020 is changing?
- when speaking about the character who is gay, Kevin says, "that's just part of who he is" what does he mean? (that being gay does not define a person, it's just one part of who they are. They could be gay and deaf and Asian-American and left handed!)
- what can we learn from Marvel Studios?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat