Elliot Page will still portray Vanya in Netflix’s ‘Umbrella Academy’ season 3
This week, Elliot Page penned an open letter to fans announcing that they are transgender and non-binary. Although the announcement was welcomed with open arms from individuals worldwide, some commentators wondered if Page will continue to portray Vanya Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy.
Now, it has been confirmed that Page has no plans to stop playing the underestimated and truly powerful Hargreeves sibling.
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On Dec. 1, Page revealed they are transgender and non-binary. The actor took to social media to share a heartfelt message to fans and also share that their pronouns are now him/they.
“Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot,” they say. “I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.”
Page goes on to thank the trans community for their courage and support to help make the world a more accepting place.
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“I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey,” Page continues. “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society.”
By finally announcing the news to the world, Page looks forward to fully embracing who they are. As well, they are committed to further fighting for trans right and support to all of those in the community who have felt injustice for who they are.
“I love that I am trans,” Page says. “And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day. I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”
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— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020
Following the open letter, some commentators suggested that Vanya be recast. According to Variety, The Umbrella Academy character’s name began trending on Twitter alongside #Elliot as some individuals wondered if Page should continue on as Vanya in the series.
However, Nick Adams, director of transgender media at GLAAD, told Variety that trans actors can portray both trans and cisgender characters onscreen.
“Trans actors can and do play both trans and cisgender characters,” Adams says. “I’m sure Elliot will continue to be brilliant in Umbrella Academy and many different types of roles in the future.”
In a separate post on GLAAD’s blog, Adams further celebrates Page’s announcement and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
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“Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people,” Adams says. “He will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. All transgender people deserve the chance to be ourselves and to be accepted for who we are. We celebrate the remarkable Elliot Page today.”
Both Netflix and The Umbrella Academy also shared their love for Page’s open letter on social media this week. The tweets further confirm that Page will continue to play Vanya in The Umbrella Academy‘s new season.
“So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!”
???So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!
— Umbrella Academy (@UmbrellaAcad) December 1, 2020
“So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can’t wait to see you return in season 3!”
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So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can’t wait to see you return in season 3! ? ?
— Netflix (@netflix) December 1, 2020
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is in the process of updating Page’s name on all of the titles on the service in which they’re involved.
Production for season 3 of The Umbrella Academy is set to begin in February 2021. Earlier this month, showrunner Steve Blackman revealed the season’s debut episode’s title which alludes to what’s in store for the Hargreeves siblings.
For those that remember, season 2 ended up on a cliffhanger we will never forget. As we saw in the season’s final moments, the Hargreeves siblings arrived back in the “present time,” but soon learned things aren’t quite what they seem. Instead of starting The Umbrella Academy, Sir Reginald Hargreeves went on to create The Sparrow Academy.
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The latter academy features all-new members from the original 43 children born on Oct. 1, 1989. The Sparrow Academy is part of the original comics created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba. However, they don’t appear until the end of the third volume. Blackman previously explained why they decided to incorporate The Sparrow Academy into the show early.
“I have a wonderful collaboration with Gerard and we talk a lot about where he wants to go with the different volumes of the comics,” he said. “I had an idea for the end of this season, a little similar to what the Sparrows were. When I heard he was doing the Sparrows, I got super excited.”
Are you excited to see Elliot return as Vanya in The Umbrella Academy season 3? What do you think is in store for the Hargreeves siblings in the upcoming episodes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
