NPR

Latino superheroes are saving the day in Hollywood

Many of the new movie superheroes star Latino actors or have Latino characters. Their origin stories are diverse.
Leslie Grace (left), Antonio Banderas, Lynda Carter, Xochitl Gomez, Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), El Santo and Xolo Maridueña have played or are in production to play superheroes.

Latinos are a big part of the U.S. box office, and during the pandemic, they helped keep cinemas open. Last year, they were 24 % of the movie-going audience, according to The Motion Picture Association. Many of the new blockbusters are superhero movies with Latinx actors or characters.

For instance, this year's Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features a 14-year-old Latinx superhero named America Chavez.

"She can punch star-shaped portals that allow her to travel throughout the multiverse and that is a power no one else really has," says Xochitl Gomez, who plays the live-action hero.

The first time we. "Spanish words. In a Marvel movie. That's huge," remarks Gomez.

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