Credit: Marvel StudiosThe Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will continue representation and inclusion efforts in its films and Disney+ series. In a message written for Disney100: The Exhibition in Chicago, Illinois, The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger boasted about Marvel Studios’ diverse storytelling.
Recent Marvel Studios projects like The Marvels (2023) and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law showcased heroes of diverse races, religious backgrounds, and genders. Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) have been called carefully researched celebrations of Black and African culture.
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Though some “fragile fanboys” pushed back against female and non-white Marvel leads, The Walt Disney Company remains proud of its takes on the wide-ranging and diverse Marvel Comics.
Inside the Magic recently visited Disney100: The Exhibition, which showcased multiple costumes and props from Marvel Studios movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2011), Captain Marvel (2019), Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and more. In an introductory message to the gallery, Iger touted the MCU’s storytelling strengths.
“For more than 80 years, Marvel’s greatest characters have been saving the world while dealing with everyday concerns, endearing them to comic-book readers and now film audiences around the globe,” the plaque begins.
The sign includes a quote from the late Disney Legend Stan Lee.
“I was trying to write the kind of stories I’d want to read… and I wanted to read about three-dimensional characters, not stick figures,” Lee said. “You want to care about these people, understand them.”
“Marvel’s Super Heroes wear suits that symbolize their personalities, powers, strengths, and beliefs,” the plaque’s message continued. “The objects they use also convey meaning: Captain America’s red, white, and blue shield represents his protection of the U.S. during World War II (and beyond); Thor’s enchanted hammer Mjolnir can only be wielded by someone of sound moral character and integrity.”
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Iger stated that Marvel Studios “redefined Super Heroes for a new era… greatly expanding their relevance across gender, generation, and geography—setting new standards for compelling storytelling.”
Marvel President Kevin Feige has reaffirmed Iger’s belief multiple times in recent years.
“When you’re doing a story about a female lawyer who is giant and green [She-Hulk], or a Muslim teenager with superpowers in Jersey City [Ms. Marvel], or working with filmmakers and writers of color as we are — it’s so prevalent and so much a part of who we are and what we do now, that it doesn’t seem abnormal,” Feige told Variety in 2021. “It’s no longer a headline. A woman is directing something! Wow! I hope this will become the norm to the extent that this is no longer a rarity.”
Two versions of Disney100: The Exhibition will travel North America and worldwide over the next five years. The first cities were Berlin, Germany, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibits are currently in London, England, and Chicago, Illinois, but the only confirmed next stop is in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are available here.
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