'Spider-Man's Zach Barack Talks Importance of Being the First Transgender Actor in a Marvel Film

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has enjoyed several milestones in its films in the past year, not just in massive franchise moments but in flagship moments of representation. First came Black Panther, Marvel’s first black superhero-led film, followed by Captain Marvel, its first female-led film. Now, Spider-Man: Far From Home will feature a new milestone when it premieres next week: the inclusion of an openly transgender actor, Zach Barack, who this week spoke on the importance of his role.

“I’m kind of losing my mind a little bit, but I’m acting like I’m not,” Barack said in an interview with Variety. “I don’t know that it fully has [sunk in]…I don’t quite have the capacity to explain how meaningful it is to me.”

View this post on Instagram

I was 17 the first time I consciously saw a trans person on tv. It was the first time I had hope that I could both be myself and do what I love. It was the first time I didn’t feel alone and, I cannot stress this enough, it kept me alive. Before that, I’d only seen “Boy’s Don’t Cry”, a movie about a trans boy being brutally murdered. For most of my life, I had little evidence that trans people existed, and I certainly did not see examples of professional success. There were so many times I thought about ending my life because I was so unhappy in my body. I was so angry at the world and myself. I never thought in my life I’d get to be visible in my own right- let alone cast In a Marvel movie. The support and love I’ve gotten from trans kids reminded me how important this is for all of us. We need this and we need more. Today, we keep in mind all of the people who can’t be visibly trans or have no choice in their visibility. Today we keep in mind the trans people, namely trans women of color, who are not safe and who are being attacked and killed. It is not always easy or glamorous, but trans people are beautiful and a real gift to this world. Happy trans day of visibility, I love you all so so much. Enjoy these pics of me with the new friends that have been brought into my life thanks to being trans :) #transdayofvisibility #tdov #transisbeautiful PC: @tonyrevolori @remyhii @justgiveawhistle

A post shared by Zach Barack (@zachbarack) on Mar 31, 2019 at 3:47pm PDT

Barack said that he was particularly fond of the film and the comic books it was based on, as they speak to trans issues. “Peter Parker’s journey [in Spider-Man: Homecoming] is a lot about balancing being a teenager and having this other part of your life,” he said. “And that is just so trans, it’s something that I absolutely think I’ve felt on a daily basis sometimes – especially being a transmasculine person, because sometimes there’s a pressure to be a different way than I feel naturally inclined to do because I want to fit in, and I have to actively fight that instinct.”

“But the fact of the matter is, being in this movie is so beyond incredibly meaningful and I hope that it means something to other people,” he concluded.

In Far From Home, Barack plays one of Peter Parker’s friends, joining him on his action-packed jaunt through Europe. It is unclear whether or not the character will be explicitly trans, though Barack’s appearance will break new barriers for Marvel regardless. Previously, the only openly trans character in the Marvel franchise has been Jessica Jones’ Gillian, played by Aneesh Sheth--making Barack the first trans actor to appear in a Marvel film.

As we previously reported, Far From Home also features another transgender actor, Tyler Luke Cunningham, who is an extra in the film. While the role isn't as big as Barack's, it's still great to see the representation continuing in the MCU. Now we can only hope for more.

We’re overjoyed to see that Marvel is always making itself more inclusive of different people--it can only make the stories better and more meaningful.