Latino Actors and their Badass Superhero Roles

Superheroes are among the most popular characters featured in films, television series, and comic books today. More and more, many of the companies who produce these characters are recognizing the historic lack of representation of Latino cultures, characters, and stories in their superhero tales, and are working to correct this lack of representation. Today we hope to celebrate some of the phenomenal Latino superheroes and their creators who have made their mark on Latino culture and the world.

Bad Bunny as El Muerto

In April of 2022 Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, made headlines as it was announced that he was cast as Marvel’s newest superhero in an upcoming Spider-Man spinoff set to debut in January of 2024. Bad Bunny is set to take on the main role as the wrestler “El Muerto.”

El Muerto is a Mexican wrestler who gains his superpowers from a mask passed down through the generations of his family. As a rite of passage, each member of his family is expected to face off against the family’s arch-nemesis to prove their worthiness to wear the mask.

Bad Bunny’s new casting has been met with tremendous support from broader Latino communities, who are excited to see the first-ever Latino superhero to headline a Marvel live-action movie.

Scarlett Estevez and JR Villarreal

In an exciting double representation of Latino superheroes, Scarlett Estevez and JR Villarreal were announced as upcoming actors in a new Disney+ series titled Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion. In the series. Estevez plays a Mexican-American teen who is transformed into the superhero “Ultraviolet” by a magical luchador mask. Alongside her luchador uncle “Black Scorpion” (played by Villareal), Ultraviolet sets out to protect her community from the evils of the world.

Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion represents one of the first superhero shows that prominently features two Latino superheroes, and is certain to be an exciting watch coming in June of 2022!

Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez

Xochitl Gomez found herself front-and-center in the world of Latino superheroes when she made her debut as Marvel’s first queer, Latina superhero, in the recent film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the film, she gains the ability to travel across the multiverse, where she is hunted by magical villains and finds an ally in Dr. Stephen Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Fans were excited to see Gomez’ role in the film, celebrating the role as an exciting step forward for the representation of young Latina women in major films.

Al Madrigal

Al Madrigal, perhaps best known for his stand-up comedy and acting, announced in early 2022 the publication of a new comic book series titled Primos, which focuses on Latino culture and characters.

Within the comics, the main characters discover that they are descendants of the ancient Mayan emperor Janaab, and are tasked with saving the world from the destruction caused by the emperor’s younger brother Kan. These Latino superheroes then go on an epic adventure through space and time in their quest to save the world.

The first issues of this fantastic comic are now available in both English and Spanish.

Isabella Merced

In June of 2022 Sony Pictures announced their upcoming film Madame Web, which is expected to be released in 2023. With the announcement came news that Latina actress Isabela Merced will play a leading role in the superhero film.

The upcoming Madame Web film is said to be derived from the Spider-Man saga and features a main character who is clairvoyant and telepathic, who aids Spider-Man multiple times throughout the original comic book series. There is no word yet on which role Isabella Merced will play in the upcoming film, but fans are excited nonetheless.

Gil Perez-Abraham

Gil Perez-Abraham was cast as Officer Martinez, in filmmaker Matt Reeves’ The Batman. A Gotham City cop, the character of Officer Martinez finds himself on the trail of the illusive and dangerous “Riddler,” who wreaks havoc on Gotham City.

Fans of Gil Perez-Abraham were excited to see his role in the film, as it represents one of many strides DC comics has taken to have more representation of Latino cultures and characters in superhero films. His role as Officer Martinez shows that superheroes, including Latino superheroes, don’t necessarily have to wear capes to make a difference.

Paula Garces

Paula Garces is another creator responsible for building a fictional world filled with representation of Latino cultures and Latino superheroes. She is most famous for her comic book series _The World of Aluna, _which features the heroics of a Colombian girl born in the 1500s who was taken from her home by Spaniards and raised as royalty. Eventually, her fate returns her to her home to fulfill her ultimate destiny as she is visited by her missing tribe’s spiritual leader and discovers she is the daughter of a goddess.

This comic book series is celebrated as a wonderful example of yet another way in which Latino culture and history can be prominently featured in superhero stories, whether they take place in the past, present, or future.

We look forward to experience all of the wonderful stories these actors and creators will help to tell, and hope that you will as well. Be sure to support each of these films and comic books and the wonderful representations they give for Latino cultures!