Tessa Thompson Says That Valkyrie's Sexuality Was a Big Topic of Conversation for 'Thor: Love And Thunder'

Tessa shared with the outlet that Valkyrie’s orientation was a “big topic of conversation, because I think rightfully there’s this real want in audiences to see characters be very clearly queer or LGBTQIA+ inside these spaces. And I think it’s hugely important to have representation.”

She went on, adding that “also as humans I think that we are not defined by our sexuality, and by who we love. And so sometimes I think to hang a narrative completely on that is a way of actually diminishing the humanity of the character. Because you don’t allow them to be anything else.”

Tessa had talked with Taika Waititi, who wrote and direct, as well as stars with Tessa in the film, about appropriately honoring Valkryie.

“It becomes the only storyline, particularly in a movie like this where you don’t, frankly, have a lot of room for storyline,” she explained. “So there was a lot of conversation in terms of how to treat that with Valkyrie. And I feel really good, personally, about where we got to. I hope that she’s a character that fans continue to connect to, that we have a lot of time to explore her, in all of her humanity. But whether or not she finds love in this movie doesn’t mean she’s not still a fabulous queer character that is open to finding love when it makes sense.”

Tessa previously opened up about addressing her character’s sexuality in 2020.

“I think it’s really important for everybody, but for young people especially, to be able to show up to those movies and see projections of themselves, she said. “…there’s so many cool queer characters in the comic books, and they should have a place on screen.”