Tessa Thompson drops by for a brief cameo in The Marvels (not exactly a spoiler, since she's in the trailer), and her scene has led to a lot of discussion online.
Back when Thor: Love and Thunder was in production, reports did the rounds that Taika Waititi's sequel would feature a subplot involving Valkyrie searching for a queen to rule alongside her in New Asgard. This was ultimately dropped from the movie, but one rumor claimed that Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) would emerge as the Asgardian warrior's significant other.
In the Captain Marvel sequel, Carol calls on Valkyrie to help relocate some Skrull refugees, and the scene they share certainly seems to suggest that they are very close. It doesn't outright confirm anything, but there is clearly a strong emotional connection there, and Valkyrie plants a kiss on Carol's cheek as she departs.
Is the scene supposed to imply that these characters are romantically involved?
Executive Producer Mary Livanos was asked about their relationship, and why it was decided to "pair" Carol with Valkrye, during a recent interview with EW.
"Pairing Carol with Valkyrie and having them share the big screen was another bucket list item. Fans really shipped them and their friendship, and as a huge nerd myself, I was dying to see that relationship on the big screen. Nia DaCosta is quite close with Tessa Thompson, so we had to write in a cameo. She's such an empathetic, wonderful character. When we were trying to figure out exactly how to help the Skrulls after the events that take place on Tarnax, we were excited at the idea that Valkyrie could help in this novel way."
It sounds like, in Livanos' mind at least, this is just a strong friendship, but whether the scene is supposed to be setting something up for the pair in a future movie or not, it certainly seems to have been included to get fans talking.
"The Marvels is far from the best Marvel Studios has to offer, but it's difficult not to get swept up in its infectious energy... to a point," we said in our review. "A disjointed third act lets it down, but a game cast and plenty of fun/funny moments elevate it above more lacklustre MCU fare (we're looking at you, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumnia)."
"In Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as The Marvels.”
The film also stars Zawe Ashton and Park Seo-joon. Nia DaCosta directs, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Mary Livanos and Matthew Jenkins serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by Megan McDonnell, Nia DaCosta, Elissa Karasik and Zeb Wells.
The Marvels will begin its international rollout on November 8, and was recently granted a China release on November 10, day-and-date with North America.
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