Tessa Thompson Says ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Shows a ‘More Mature’ Version of Valkyrie

The Thor franchise has always featured some of the MCU’s more impressive casts, including the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgård, Tom Hiddleston, and Cate Blanchett. Still, one of the more beloved additions is that of Tessa Thompson. Joining the MCU in Thor: Ragnorak, Thompson’s Valkyrie quickly became an MCU favorite for her deadpan sensibilities, tragic backstory, excellent comedic timing, and ferocity as the last of Asgard’s warrior shield-maidens. After helping to defeat Thanos, Valkyrie finds herself sitting on the throne of Asgard as king instead of protecting it. 

In Thor: Love and Thunder, Valkyrie is having a tough time adjusting to bureaucracy. It’s a bit of tension that Thompson plays wonderfully; she’s rightfully annoyed during meetings and the opening of shops around New Asgard and yearns for battle—so much so that she’s seemingly holding onto a weapon at every moment should a fight breakout. So when the chance comes along for her to join Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Jane (Natalie Portman), and Korg (Taika Waititi) in their hunt for the murderous Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), she leaps at the chance.

Ahead of the latest Thor installment, Complex quickly chatted with Thompson about Valkyrie’s desire to return to the battlefield, her relationship with Portman, and how her creative relationship with both Hemsworth and Waititi has evolved throughout the many projects they’ve now done together.