Fans were waiting a long time for a first official look at Thor: Love and Thunder, but an unexpected behind-the-scenes glimpse of one character's updated costume did find its way online earlier this year.
After being shared online from an unknown source, a shot of Tessa Thompson sporting her new Valkyrie duds did the rounds back in January. Marvel Studios/Disney did sent out a few takedown notices, but it made little difference since the image had been so widely circulated by that point.
Since the photo was a selfie, it was assumed Thompson herself was behind for the leak, and the actress has now taken (partial) responsibility during an interview with Fandango.
“See, I sent a picture to my stepmom and she posted it on Instagram," she admitted. "Yeah, [it] wasn’t me and it’s a big thing. She feels terrible. I’m so sorry, Marvel. I’m so sorry, Disney. It’s not my fault. I will never – I’m never gonna send selfies again.”
Thompson is far from the first Marvel Studios star to divulge a spoiler (nothing is likely to top Mark Ruffalo inadvertently live-streaming the world premiere of Thor: Ragnarok), so we can't imagine Kevin Feige came down too hard on her for this.
Part of Valkyrie's Love and Thunder arc will focus on her search for a queen, but we know she will also see plenty of action. Shots of the Asgardian warrior clashing swords with Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) has led to speculation that she may fall in battle, but we don't see Taika Waititi/Marvel Studios killing off arguably the MCU's most popular and prominent LGBTQ+ character.
Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 8.