Diversity in Film - Marvel's Eternals Actor Haaz Sleiman

Haaz Sleiman & Brian Tyree Henry in Eternals

In recent times, we've seen a lot more people and cultures represented on the big screen. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is one of the most popular movie franchises in the world. In its 2021 movie, Eternals, actor Haaz Sleiman portrayed Ben Stoss, husband to the first gay superhero, Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry. They shared the MCU's first LGBTQ+ kiss scene also.

In an exclusive interview with Red's Reviews & Interviews, Haaz Sleiman who has also starred in Killing Jesus, The Visitor & Jack Ryan, shared his opinion on his role.

Sleiman described the movie as "life saving". He explained, "the fans who have been reaching out to me... kids wanting to kill themselves, now that they're seeing themselves in this, it's giving them hope. Literally, it's life saving. It's that powerful."

Sleiman as Ben Stoss in Marvel's Eternals (2021)

The actor's role certainly caused controversy. The film was censored in some Middle-Eastern countries, a decision that actress Angelina Jolie described as "ignorant". Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ community online were grateful that there were now characters in the franchise that they could relate to.

In response, Sleiman added, "There's nothing bigger than Marvel and Disney in terms of how it reaches really across the globe, in parts of the world where no other studio or any other... phenomena has been able to, and to have that opportunity through Marvel and Disney to tell that story, to let them be seen, that they matter... that they have value. It's life-saving, it's as simple as that."

It's true that Marvel are a VERY large company. As of June 2022, the MCU series had grossed a total box office revenue of 26.6 billion US dollars, and was the highest grossing film franchise in the world.

Sleiman at the world premiere of Eternals

Continuing, Sleiman added, "Let's not forget, the age range. Younger queer folk who are struggling, who are being bullied to the point of suicide." Marvel is very popular with younger audiences.

Since the release of Eternals, the actor stated that he's been "getting a lot of attention; a lot of love, and also a lot of hate." He continued with, "I'm hoping that my performance in the Marvel film will make people focus more on my skill as an actor, and not my identity. Because I'm not an actor because I'm Arab, Muslim and Queer. I'm an actor because I'm an actor, because I want to be an actor. That's first and foremost."

He also shared his feelings on people's perceptions of him: "I shouldn't be defined on anything but am I a good actor? Or not a good actor?... For actors, they're really put in a box or defined by who they are, and that's not fair, they should be defined by their skill, their ability to master their craft and their professionalism."

Hollywood has come under scrutiny by many critics for its lethargic attempts to be diverse. The actor agrees, "As progressive as Hollywood thinks it is, it's not yet that progressive."

After his role in the film, Sleiman "feels like [he] can do anything." He stated that he would love to play a superhero himself in the future. "That's my dream," he said.

You can watch Eternals on Disney Plus and you will be able to catch Haaz Sleiman in his upcoming film "Moving On", where he stars opposite Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin.