Asian representation was pretty scarce back then, and although we’re able to see more Asians on screen, there were barely any Southeast Asians.
But that’s about to change soon as Marvel is reportedly planning to introduce a Southeast Asian superhero.
'Badang' is shaking
According to NME, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige says that fans “won’t have to wait very long for a Southeast Asian superhero".
Speaking at the launch of Disney+ Singapore, Feige was asked if it was high time that we get a Southeast Asian Marvel superhero.
“I think it is. And I think you won’t have to wait there very long at all. We’ve announced a number of shows and we’ve got more in the works,” Feige said.
The 47-year-old did not give any further info about any upcoming Southeast Asian superhero projects, but fans can expect to see the first Asian-led superhero film, 'Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, in the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The film stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, and Malaysian actors Ronny Chieng and Michelle Yeoh, which is set to debut in July 2021.
In 2019, Marvel also introduced the Filipina superhero Wave in Marvel Comics 'War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas'. She was created by Asian-American writer Greg Pak, and her costume was designed by Filipino comic artist Leinil Yu.
Now, the real question is - when will Disney+ arrive in Malaysia?