Thor: Ragnarok star Tessa Thompson confirmed her character, Valkyrie, is bisexual. Thompson took to Twitter after a number of fans were lamenting her casting as Valkyrie.
She’s bi. And yes, she cares very little about what men think of her. What a joy to play! https://t.co/d0LZKTHCfL
— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) October 21, 2017
The initial conversation began with a fan criticizing the look of Thompson’s Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Valkyrie.
nope sorry. not valkyrie. typical sexless marvel tomboy..oh but with wisecracks ? and 'attitude'. she used to be cool and sexy ? pic.twitter.com/f15H4iqqsR
— Greg Martin (@GregSelkirk) October 21, 2017
Oh well. She's Valkyrie now. And for the rest of the MCU she will be. Even if they recast her…she'll look….similar ??
— Marcus Jackson (@MarcRuckus) October 21, 2017
Valkyrie in the comics is a big ole lesbian so I doubt she would give your opinion any thought. ????
— BOO!-restes (@oresteian) October 21, 2017
Then Thompson chimed in with the above Tweet.
Thompson’s Tweet was “liked” by Thor: Ragnarok director Taiki Waititi, reinforcing Thompson’s statement that Valkyrie is bi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Valkyrie’s Romantic History
There is some truth to this in the comics, however it is complicated. Valkyrie is an Asgardian by birth and was selected by Odin to lead the Valkyrior. She was born Brunnhilde and is based off the Norse mythological figure Brynhildr.
In the comics she uses other women as host bodies. Those women include Barbara Denton-Norriss, Samantha Parrington, Sian Bowen, and Annabelle Riggs. However, before Brunnhilde is placed in Samantha Parrington’s body by Amora the Enchantress, she falls in love with Siegfried, the son of Thor, and the two become lovers. The love was not meant to last. Siegfried falls under the sway of magic and betrays Brunnhilde. Siegfried is then murdered. Still in love with Siegfried and faced with the devastating loss, Brunhillde leaps into his funeral pyre and is incinerated. Fortunately, Odin restores both of them to life, but wipes their memories.
Valkyrie has also had a number of trysts with Thor. One such occasion saw Odin order Valkyrie to subdue Thor while he went on a rampage in Midgard. While the two faced off against each other a Storm Giant arrived and attempted to destroy Midgard. The two defeat the new foe then enjoy a brief romance before returning to their duties.
In the Marvel Ultimate Universe, Valkyrie posses the body of a 19-year-old girl named Barbara Norris who has been in a romantic live-in relationship with Thor for weeks.
In the animated movie, Thor: Tales of Asgard, Valkyrie falls in love with Fandral. But he scorns her love. She then forms the Valkyries, a group of all-female warriors, and eventually helps Thor stop an invasion of Frost Giants.
It is not until April 2013 when Marvel introduced Dr. Annabelle Riggs that we saw Valkyrie show any interest in women. And even then it’s unclear if Valkyrie is actually a lesbian. Annabelle Riggs is a lesbian, but it could be seen that Valkyrie shares this sexuality as well now. When Annabelle first encountered Valkyrie she embraced her with a passionate kiss.
Valkyrie and Annabelle Riggs actually share a body. Valkyrie sacrificed sole ownership of her body when she and Clea brought Annabelle back to life. Annabelle was was killed when Valkyrie went into a senseless rage upon discovering she was one of the original Doom Maidens. Annabelle and Valkyrie now switch back and forth in the same body.
It’s unclear if there will be a scene in Thor: Ragnarok establishing Valkyrie’s sexuality, but the actress made clear that Valkyrie is bi in the upcoming film.
Thor: Ragnarok stars Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Cate Blanchett as Hela, and Karl Urban as Skurge.
Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters on November 3, 2017.