Valkyrie Confirmed Bisexual In ‘Thor 4,’ LGBTQ Character In ‘Eternals’

Marvel Studios seems to be embracing diversity in Phase 4. The Disney-owned studio has revealed that there will be multiple gay characters in upcoming films, and they’ll have a big presence.

Tessa Thompson teased that her character, Valkyrie, is gay. First introduced in “Thor: Ragnarok,” Valkyrie was crowned King of Asgard in “Avengers: Endgame.” Thompson told audiences at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday that Valkyrie “needs to find her queen” in “Thor: Love and Thunder.”

Thompson has previously tweeted that Valkyrie is bisexual. While canon in the comics, nothing ever hinted at the character’s sexuality in “Ragnarok” or “Endgame.”

Since many fans still felt like her sexuality was implied rather than explicitly stated, Marvel boss Kevin Feige later made it clear in an interview with Collider. “Does that need to be confirmed? I think that was always the case,” Feige said.

He confirmed that she does indeed identify as LGBTQ, and she won’t be the only one in Phase 4. “Yes that’s the case, and will be the case not just with [Valkyrie] but with other characters in some of the movies we talked about today,” he added.

“Avengers: Endgame” featured the first explicit reference to a gay character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it wasn’t a hero. Director Joe Russo made a quick cameo as a gay man. LGBTQ representation moving forward seems like it’ll be more significant.

Feige confirmed that there is a gay character in “Eternals” as well. The movie, which is set to follow a group of immortal beings, will also feature Marvel Studios’ first deaf hero, Makkari (Lauren Ridloff).

Additionally, “Eternals” seems to have one of Marvel Studios’ most diverse casts yet with Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Brian Tyree Henry, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Don Lee and Ridloff rounding out the main cast.

“Eternals” will hit theaters Nov. 6, 2020 while “Thor: Love and Thunder” is set release on Nov. 5, 2021. See all of Marvel’s Phase 4 plans.