Hollywood’s perception of a hero is whitewashed, but there is change in the making.

Marvel and D.C. are trying to display more racial diversity in their films by adding more characters played by people of color. The only POC who are casted into these films are usually starring in the role of a villain or sidekick, rarely the hero.

A few black superheros already exist, such as the Falcon and Black Panther. However, many aren’t as well-known as their fellow white comrades for instance Captain America or Batman.

“I feel like I never see minorities as heros, and I think that should change,” junior Jordan Hirsch said.

New D.C. and Marvel movies are changing their old ways by replacing predominantly white characters with people of color. Suicide Squad cast Will Smith as Deadshot, a character that has never before been portrayed as black.

Breakthrough shows like CW’s The Flash have introduced main characters Iris West and Joe West as people of color for the first time. In the upcoming third season of The Flash, POC Keiynan Lonsdale plays Wally West, a predominantly white character.

“I grew up wishing I would see another superhero of a different color,” senior Kyle Peraza said.

Just as rarely as you see black actors as the main protagonists in superhero films, Hispanic actors are also cut screen time. There are very few appearances of Hispanic actors in D.C. and Marvel movies, but directors are starting to broaden their work. Movies like X-Men: Days of Future Past introduce Mexican actor Adan Canto as Sunspot.

“I feel like we’re going in the right direction, our world is full of color, and we need to use it.” senior Katie Lashley said.