‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘ will make its theatrical premiere to an excited audience later this week. The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets ready to wrap out its Phase Four of motion pictures and television series this year. The new film, a sequel to the hugely successful 2018 Chadwick Boseman film ‘Black Panther‘, continues the narrative of the fictitious Wakandan people, with the majority of the original cast members returning.
However, the movie is currently accused of queer baiting. After a Youtuber, Grace Randolph talked about Michaela Coel’s queer character, praising it, but also how her role was very minute and almost negligible.
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Which ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Role Is Being Criticized For Queerbaiting?
Michaela Coel’s Aneka is being accused of queerbaiting. Coel explained last month that the reason she eventually chose to portray the part of Aneka in the new ‘Black Panther‘ sequel is that her character is both a captain and also represents the LGBTQ community. Coel told Vogue, “That sold me on the role; the fact that my character is queer.” The gay representation may now just exist in name, it appears.
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What Is Queerbaiting? Why Is The Marvel Film Being Accused Of It?
Queerbaiting is a promotional tool used by authors and producers of fiction and entertainment. In it, they suggest same-sex relationships or other LGBTQ+ representation but do not really show it. With the hint or potential of relationships or characters that will appeal to the audience, the intention is to draw in an LGBTQ+ or straight-ally audience.
In a recent post on ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘, Grace Randolph, who runs the YouTube series Beyond the Trailer, offered these observations. She talked about Michaela Coel’s portrayal of Aneka in the video by saying, “Her role is quite small. To her credit though, she still is able to break through and make a strong impression.”
Furthermore, Randolph continued to say that Ayo is meant to be Aneka’s love interest. But it didn’t quite get enough screen time. “Unfortunately, her romance with Ayo has been almost entirely cut out from the film except for a blink-and-you-miss-it kiss,” she explained.
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