Tessa Thompson to Play Marvel's First LGBTQ Superhero in Thor Sequel

Marvel has dabbled with LGBTQ characters in its superhero films, but hasn't featured a lead action hero as out and proud -- until now.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed on Saturday at San Diego's Comic-Con that the Valkyrie character played by out actress Tessa Thompson will indeed be queer in the upcoming Thor sequel, Thor: Love and Thunder. That movie, expected in 2021, will also feature an actress, Natalie Portman, portraying Thor.

"The answer is yes," Feige told i09 of Valkyrie having an LGBTQ storyline. "How that impacts the story remains to be seen with that level of representation you'll see across our films, not in just Thor 4."

Thompson was also on hand in San Diego and expressed jubilation at Valkyrie's new arc. Scenes clarifying Valkyrie is bisexual were cut from 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, and Thompson has expressed that playing a bi hero was one of the reasons she initially took the part.

"As new king (of the mythical land Asgard), she needs to find her queen," Thompson said at a panel this weekend. "That will be her first order of business. She has some ideas. Keep you posted."