Transgender Actor Zach Barack to Play Peter Parker’s Classmate in Spider-Man: Far From Home
John F. Trent
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Transgender actor Zach Barack, 23, has been cast to play Peter Parker’s classmate in the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home film.
Barack took to Twitter earlier this month to hint at his role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home movie. He posted the following Tweet after sharing the Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer.
Being able to work with other trans people is a gift. Trans people are a gift. Im so lucky to be me
— zach barack (@zach_l_b) January 16, 2019
Barack will join another transgender actor, Tyler Luke Cunningham, in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Ann Thomas, Barack’s agent and the founder of Hollywood talent agency Transgender Talent, told NBC News that Barack plays a significant role in the film. Thomas said, “He’s not a background character. He has lines.”
Barack appeared in the trailer alongside a number of Parker’s classmates. You can see him in the right of the picture below.
Zach Barack’s casting in Spider-Man: Far From Home comes amid calls from more representation from activist organization GLAAD. The group released their annual Studio Responsibility Index last year where they blasted both Marvel Studios and Warner Bros.
“There have been several films in recent years that have erased a character’s queer identity as they moved from page to screen. In 2017, Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and DC’s Wonder Woman both included characters who are queer in their source material, but did not include any on screen confirmation of their identities. This must change going forward.”
They also demanded “that 20% of annual major studio releases include LGBTQ characters by 2021, and that 50% of films include LGBTQ characters by 2024.”
Executive vice president of production at Marvel Studios, Victoria Alonso, also told the BBC in November, “The gay community has not been represented whatsoever. I’m gay, so I can tell you that I would long for that.”
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige confirmed there would be LGBTQ characters introduced into the MCU while speaking to The Playlist. Feige noted the LGBTQ characters would include characters that have already been introduced as well as new characters.
“The Playlist: When are we getting a Gay, Bi, LGBTQ, out character in the MCU? Is it even in the works? Kevin Feige: Yes.
The Playlist: That’s the answer?
Kevin Feige: Yeah, that’s the answer.
The Playlist: It’s not someone we’ve seen yet, I’m guessing?
Kevin Feige: Both.
The Playlist: Both?
Kevin Feige: Both ones you’ve seen and ones you haven’t seen.”
Zach Barack will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut on July 5th when Spider-Man: Far From Home comes to theaters.
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