Tessa Thompson hopes Marvel makes diversity a priority in Phase 4

Tessa Thompson has said that diversity is going to be a “pretty big deal” for Kevin Feige and Marvel as they enter fourth phase of their Cinematic Universe.

Thompson made this declaration during her recent appearance on Variety’s Actors On Actors web series, via ComicBook.com, alongside comedian Ramy Youssef.

The conversation soon turned to diversity in Hollywood, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

It was at this point that Thompson, who has played comic-book hero Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame, promised that representation is going to be a “pretty big deal” in the MCU going forward.

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“The truth is these movies travel globally in such huge ways, and if you can represent people that are of colour, if you can represent people with disabilities, if you can represent the LGBTQIA community inside of these films, it’s a pretty big deal.”

"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.”

“So I’m really excited that we’re able to continue to push the bounds of that and that I’m able to do that with Valkyrie. Because there’s so many cool queer characters in the comic books, and they should have a place on screen."

Read More: Anthony Mackie criticises Marvel’s lack of diversity

Marvel President Kevin Feige confirmed that Valkyrie will become the first LGBTQ superhero in the MCU at last year’s Comic-Con, something that is expected to be revealed in Thor: Love And Thunder.

Unfortunately, we’re no longer absolutely certain when Thor: Love And Thunder will be released, because even though Christian Bale was recently revealed as its villain, its proposed release date of 11 February, 2022, could be pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.