Is Tommy Bisexual in ‘VisionQuest’? Ruaridh Mollica on His Character’s Sexuality in MCU
What To Know
- Ruaridh Mollica plays Tommy Maximoff in Disney+’s VisionQuest.
- His character is bisexual in the Marvel comic books.
- Mollica has revealed if MCU Tommy is bisexual and if it will be explored in VisionQuest.
Ruaridh Mollica‘s Tommy Maximoff, aka Tommy Shepherd, has made his on-screen debut in Disney+’s VisionQuest. Those familiar with the Marvel comics — or those who are fed Marvel content by their social media algorithm — have likely heard a fair bit about the character beyond what was covered in WandaVision. Namely, Tommy’s bisexuality in the comics.
Now that VisionQuest has started airing, viewers have gotten to know Tommy as an orphaned Londoner, pickpocket, conman, and a reincarnated version of Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) speedster son. He’s also dealing with his android father, Vision (Paul Bettany) — or a version of him, at least — coming back into his life. Though VisionQuest is a family-centered story, will Tommy’s bisexuality be explored, too?
At long last, Mollica has revealed if MCU Tommy is bisexual like his comics counterpart. The 26-year-old actor, who identifies as queer, told Variety that though Tommy isn’t shown being attracted to other men in VisionQuest, it’s still very much part of his character.
“He’s flirting with Lisa Molinari [Lauren Morais], but I think that’s makes me feel more seen as bisexual,” he said, referring to the woman who becomes Tommy’s partner in crime. “Because that’s the whole point. It’s not necessarily about who you’re dating, it’s about who you are inside, and who you want to flirt with. So I hope that me being bisexual and playing this part is good for people to feel seen and represented.”
Disney+
Mollica commended Marvel for casting a bisexual actor to play a bisexual character. He’s also happy to be playing Tommy alongside openly gay actor Joe Locke. Locke plays reincarnated Billy Maximoff, aka Wiccan, in Agatha All Along, in which Billy has a boyfriend. “These queer twin brothers in the MCU together … it’s so cool,” Mollica said.
The actor also hopes Tommy’s sexuality is shown in further MCU projects. He told SFX Magazine, “I don’t know if [Tommy’s bisexuality] is explicitly referenced. But I feel like myself as a bisexual actor embodying Tommy, hopefully that comes through in just personality and self and is something that can be explored in the future.”
VisionQuest, Tuesdays, Disney+
