Thor: Ragnarok

Heimdall and Valkyrie are portrayed by Black actors, reimagining Norse-mythology-derived characters, but consistent with the MCU's established multiethnic Asgard rather than a flashpoint swap of an iconic figure.

• Idris Elba's Heimdall continues from prior films
• Valkyrie portrayed as a Black warrior

Hela is a powerful female villain and Valkyrie a competent warrior, but Thor remains the heroic lead and there is no 'men are the problem' messaging.

• Hela is a dominant antagonist
• Valkyrie is a skilled fighter who joins the heroes

No on-screen LGBTQ+ content; any Valkyrie bisexuality subtext was reportedly cut and not present in the film.

A diverse cast that fits the cosmic, multiethnic MCU world rather than overriding established lore.

• Diverse Asgardian and alien populations on Sakaar

A colorful action-comedy with no sermonizing; brief refugee/colonialism beats are folded into the plot.

• Asgardians become refugees at the end

A throwaway line touches on Asgard's conquering past, but masculinity and the West are not framed as villains.

• Odin's hidden history of conquest is briefly revealed

Liberal creative reinvention of comic and myth (tone, Hela's role) but driven by comedic style, not identity agenda.

• Hela reimagined as Odin's firstborn daughter
• Comedic overhaul of Thor's character