Kit Harington Criticizes Marvel For Lack Of Gay Actors In Superhero Films

Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington has voiced his criticism at the lack of visibility given to gay LGBTQ actors in Hollywood, especifically in Marvel superhero films.

Speaking at a Variety event at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend the actor, who plays Jon Snow on the HBO series, spoke alongside Emily Hampshire and Thandie Newton, two of his co-stars in forthcoming film The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.

“There’s a big problem with masculinity and homosexuality that they can’t somehow go hand in hand,” Harington said. “That we can’t have someone in a Marvel movie who’s gay in real life and plays some super hero. I mean, when is that going to happen?”

“It is changing, but we have to get behind those changes and keep pushing it," Newton responded, pointing out increased representation in areas like sports.

Name-checking the behemoth franchise is a bold move considering their growing power in the film industry. By the end of 2018 alone the franchise will have released seven films including Black Panther, Deadpool and Venom. In May of this yearAvengers: Infinity War took in $640 million worldwide over a single weekend, making it the biggest opening in the history of cinema.

Last month Ruby Rose announced she would be the first openly lesbian superhero, taking on the role of Batwoman in a TV series for DC Comics. Might this move by their competitor, alongside Harington's open criticism, push Marvel to address their representation issues?

This story originally appeared on Esquire.co.uk. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.