Marvel’s ‘VisionQuest’ is expanding the MCU in more ways than one, and Ruaridh Mollica has confirmed an important detail about his character, Tommy Maximoff. Mollica, who plays Speed in the Disney+ series, has opened up about Tommy’s bisexuality and explained why representing the LGBTQ+ community in the MCU means so much to him.
For the actor, the casting represents more than just another superhero role. It’s an opportunity to bring meaningful representation to one of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises.
Ruaridh Mollica Explains Tommy Maximoff’s Bisexuality
In an interview with Variety, Mollica discussed the significance of playing a bisexual character, particularly alongside Joe Locke, who portrays Tommy’s twin brother, Billy Kaplan. Mollica expressed his appreciation for Marvel’s decision to cast a bisexual actor in the role, describing the experience as deeply personal.
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“I feel like Marvel did a great job by casting a bisexual actor for this, and it’s such an honor to be portraying that in the MCU,” Mollica said. “I feel so seen.” The actor also highlighted the significance of having two queer twin brothers in the MCU, with Billy and Tommy sharing their superhero identities and complicated family history.
Interestingly, Tommy’s bisexuality isn’t necessarily conveyed through his romantic relationships in ‘VisionQuest’. Mollica acknowledged that his character is shown flirting with Lisa Molinari, rather than being explicitly attracted to another man during the series.
However, the actor believes this makes the representation even more meaningful. “Because that’s the whole point. It’s not necessarily about who you’re dating, it’s about who you are inside, and who you want to flirt with,” he explained.
‘VisionQuest’ Gives Marvel Another Opportunity for LGBTQ+ Representation
Tommy Maximoff has a complicated history in the MCU. At the end of ‘Agatha All Along’, Billy helped place Tommy’s consciousness into a new body, setting up the character’s introduction in ‘VisionQuest‘. In Marvel Comics, Tommy is known as Speed, possessing superhuman speed similar to his uncle, Pietro Maximoff.
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His connection to Billy also makes the brothers an important part of the wider Maximoff family story. With ‘VisionQuest’ exploring Vision’s search for identity and his family’s complicated past, Tommy’s introduction offers Marvel an opportunity to develop another member of the Young Avengers’ potential roster.
For viewers who rarely see themselves represented in superhero stories, that recognition can make a real difference. Tommy’s bisexuality adds another meaningful dimension to his story, making his role in ‘VisionQuest’ significant beyond his superhuman abilities.
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