Brian Tyree Henry of The Eternals is MCU’s First Openly Gay Superhero

Director Joe Russo’s cameo in Avengers: Endgame was the MCU’s first introduction of an openly gay character, but the appearance was so brief that it’s inconsequential. The upcoming The Eternals film heralds the movie franchise’s official first introduction of an openly gay superhero with Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry.

The Eternals are a group of powerful, intergalactic beings who’ve acted as Earth’s protectors since the beginning of humankind. Rather than play an active role in humanity’s development, the 11 immortals agree to act as observers rather than participants. That changes when Thanos wipes out half the universe’s population, and The Avengers bring them all back. That upheaval, combined with the appearance of furious beasts called Deviants, compels The Eternals to step off the sidelines and into the spotlight.

To date, Henry’s most-recognized role is in FX’s comedy-drama Atlanta, where he portrays Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles. The Yale School of Drama graduate trades his awkward, hilarious, and nuanced navigation of fame in Atlanta for Phastos’s cardigans and suburban lifestyle. The immortal genius inventor also has a husband and child.

Aside from being the MCU’s first openly gay superhero, what’s also notable about Henry receiving the role is, he’s a Black man. It’s refreshing to see queer characters of color, and it’s even better when they’re partnered with other characters of color. While audiences have yet to see how large a role Phastos plays in the movie (and whether he’ll survive for future films), it looks like The Eternals director Chloé Zhao started on the right melanated note. It would be fantastic if Phastos and Shuri were to meet in future MCU projects to trade science notes and plan a cookout with the other Black character in the long-running, cinematic universe.

Check out Phastos and the rest of the team when The Eternals premieres in theaters on November 5.