Tessa Thompson best known for her recent roles in films like Creed, Selma and Dear White People has landed a Marvel contract to be apart of multiple films, starting with Thor: Ragnarok.
Adding that she’ll be replacing Natalie Portman as Chris Hemsworth’s love interest in the film, sorry Sif.
UPDATE: Apparently, actress Lupita Nyong’o had been also up for the same role, the plot thickens.
Tessa’s role in THOR: RAGNAROK is the same one that many trade reporters were tracking Lupita Nyong’o for a couple months ago.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 11, 2016
Her role isn’t named but we’ve heard Defender and fellow Avenger Valkyrie is going to be a main female role in the film. A role we were certain Cate Blanchett might have been up for, and it’s now looking like she may indeed be playing villain Hela instead.
A role like Valkyrie would explain why Marvel had her sign a contract similar to Scarlett Johansson, although it’s unknown if the deal was for three, six or nine films.
Some comic book fans had been critical of the Wonder Woman production not including a diverse lineup of main actresses, and this seemingly Marvel’s response to that outcry. If Tessa is indeed playing Valkyrie it would be similar to the hiring of Idris Elba, as this character is normal drawn as white in the comics.
It could be a way for the studio to possibly distance the character away from the Nazi infatuation of the mythology of a blonde and blue-eyed Valkyries during WWII, going with a black actress might actually give us a strong female black superhero kicking ass in the MCU. Something we’ve been super excited to see.
In my opinion if they do look to replace Thor with say a female Thor like in the recent comics, Valkyrie could be that female character to step-up to plate.
Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson and Blanchett are excellent additions, we can’t wait to see who else director Taika Waititi casts in the film.
Ragnarok is set for release on November 3rd, 2017 with a production start this June in Australia.
SOURCE: THE WRAP