Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) is introduced as a reimagined version of the traditionally white comic character Brunnhilde, with the change drawing explicit fan backlash for prioritizing diversity; a deleted scene also confirmed her comic bisexuality. Heimdall (Idris Elba) continues his MCU portrayal as a black actor in a role rooted in Norse mythology descriptions of the "whitest of the gods," consistent since the 2011 film but part of broader diversity casting.

Director Taika Waititi's Māori heritage informs the film's concealed commentary on colonialism, including Asgard's bloody imperial history whitewashed by Odin (revealed by Hela), Valkyrie's suppressed ethnic identity as Scrapper 142, and the Grandmaster's euphemisms for slavery. These elements influence subplots and character backstories without becoming the premise or primary driver.