The Marvel Cinematic Universe has come under fire in the past for lacking representation for marginalized groups. It's something the studio has made a vested effort to address in the coming Phase 4, with films like The Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings, and Thor: Love and Thunder set to feature characters from a number of different backgrounds and situations. But there's one longtime Avenger who could mark a huge step forward for the franchise if the creators are willing to embrace a contested element of the character from the comics: Hercules.
Hercules, who has been rumored to be coming to the MCU for some time, should be openly shown as a bisexual man when he makes his cinematic debut.
WAS HERCULES BISEXUAL IN THE ORIGINAL COMICS?
Although both deities are heroic figures with plenty of awe-inspiring deeds behind them, Hercules had also always been established as a hard-drinking and simple-minded brawler compared to the more honorable and impressive Thor. This includes being a far more flirty character than Thor, often trying to woo women (including his fellow superheroes) during his adventures. The character was first hinted to be bisexual in Hercules: Fall of an Avenger, where his past paramours spoke at his funeral following his apparent demise during the course of the "Assault on New Olympus" storyline from Incredible Hercules.
While many women spoke up, a pointed reference is made to Northstar, who uses his superspeed to flee rather than speak in public about whatever relationship he and Hercules had. This, coupled with some of the language Hercules had used to describe some of his former ancient Grecian allies, hinted that Hercules had an attraction to men just as much as he had one for women. Another hint towards Hercules' potential sexuality came in the form of X-Treme X-Men Vol. 2, written by Greg Pak (who, alongside frequent collaborator Fred Van Lente, had written Hercules: Fall of an Avengers).
Focusing on various alternate realities, X-Treme X-Men introduced a version of Hercules who had found a committed and loving relationship with the Wolverine of his world, becoming world-renowned heroes who overcame the prejudices of not only humanity but the even the Gods (with Zeus briefly banishing them to Tartarus because Hercules consorted with a mortal). But that LGBT reading of the character was halted when the 616-Hercules was declared straight by Marvel ahead of his 2015 series relaunch.
WHY HERCULES SHOULD BE BISEXUAL IN THE MCU
There's no reason not to make Hercules bisexual when he arrives in the MCU, though. That attitude could greatly benefit his general deposition, playing into his naturally charming personality with a wider ranger of potential love interests. It makes sense for the character (given the sexuality politics and acceptance of the time period Hercules hails from) and could help inform how he interacts with other characters in a unique way. He could be the Captain Jack Harkness (of Doctor Who/Torchwood fame) of the MCU, becoming one of the most memorable and likable characters in recent years through sheer force of charm.
It would also give the creatives behind his debut something to help differentiate Hercules from Thor in terms of apparent personality. While the two characters are inherently similar in certain ways, the MCU version of Thor has become a more friendly and goofy figure in recent films. This, at times, feels more indebted to how Hercules was portrayed in the comics instead of Thor -- Hercules stories were always more willing to play Hercules as a dope than Thor, who's self-serious nature was the joke in his most comedic story arcs. So just transplanting Hercules to the MCU will leave him fully in the shadow of a Thor that can be played for silly moments.
By playing up the flirty nature of the character and allowing him to interact in such a way with both men and women, the film could elevate the character and give him a personality that does feel different from the boisterous but easily flustered current incarnation of Thor -- or really anyone in the MCU. It could give him a fun rapport with Thor, the party-animal who even other party-animals can't keep up with. It could also help probe Thor's feelings for Jane. Thor has really only had eyes for Jane Foster in the MCU, which contrast against the more free-spirited Hercules. Avengers: Endgame ended with Thor wanting to discover more about what person he really is, and encountering someone completely comfortable being open to a wide spectrum of what life can be would make for a natural contrast to Thor.
It would also be a strong step forward for Marvel and Disney to take, with the charming Hercules likely taking a lot of attention and natural focus thanks to his charm. The studio has come under fire in the past for lacking in LGBT characters, with Valkyrie and Phastos (from the upcoming film, The Eternals) being the only openly gay superheroes yet introduced into the universe -- with scenes that would have confirmed this about Valkyrie even being cut from Thor: Ragnarok.
Having an openly bisexual Hercules could allow for a more open and frank LGBT character, and making him on the same level of power as someone as Thor would be a huge step forward for representation in the universe. It would be a cool development to see, and a step forward for casual acceptance within the most popular film franchise in the world.