Photos: Disney
By Bel Hernandez Castillo
Cinematic Latine superheroes are on the rise on the big screen and Xochitl Gomez plays one of the biggest ones to date as America Chavez in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The Disney film which premieres May 6 features Gomez as the youngest character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, America who is only 14 years old.
The anticipation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, directed by Sam Raimi, culminated on May 2 with the closing of a block on Hollywood Blvd for the premiere. Looking like a Disney princess at the premiere, Gomez’s character America is the first Latine superhero in a major studio film, elevating Latinos to a new level. Additionally, her character also represents the LGBTQ+ community as the first Latina queer character.
When Gomez landed this plum role, she had to say goodbye to the Baby-Sitter Club which was already in its second season. This is the role that started her career and put her on the cover of magazines and on top of the list of many Hollywood executives’ list. She was named to the 2022 Forbes list of 30 under 30 and has already racked up several awards including a Young Entertainers Award and Best Actress Award from the Oniros Film Awards.
In 2021 at the red carpet at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Gomez talked to the news outlet ET about the significance of being cast in this role. “I can’t even explain how honored I am that I was able to receive such a role, and that it was even out there.” Her reaction when she was told she was cast in the role, was tears of joy.
She went from working with her young castmates in The Baby-Sitter Club to working with world-renowned mega superstars which include Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams and Benedict Wong.
Victoria Alonso, a superhero on her own right at Marvel where she is President of Physical and Post Production, Visual Effects, and Animation at Marvel Studios have been nurturing this film from production to premiere. “We waited for so long for this character,” Alonso said at the premiere. “I have been asked so many times ‘Where is America Chavez? When is she coming?’ I felt like a proud mama.”
Talk of a sequel to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was abuzz by many of the cast members on the red carpet. The film is predicted to make $210m on opening weekend.
Gomez celebrated her 15 birthday with a Quinceanera, a Mexican coming out party if you will, during the pandemic on April 29. Fast forward to three days before the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premiere, she celebrated her 16 birthday. On May 2, she would have her coming-out party on the world stage at the premiere.
Director: Sam Raimi
Writer: Michael Waldron
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez
Rating: PG-13
