Scooby-Doo movies have been a staple franchise, especially during Halloween season, for their mystery-solving of spooky occurences. Among the group of friends, Velma Dinkley has long been a favorite for the LGBTQ+ community, as many fans have dubbed her a lesbian icon. James Gunn even wrote the character as queer in an ‘edgier’ version of the live-action Scooby-Doo movies that was switched up, and Mystery Incorporated supervising producer Tony Cervone confirmed she was back in 2020. But Velma finally actually gets to be canonically gay in the latest Scooby-Doo movie.
Warner Bros. just released the latest movie in the franchise, Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, on Digital, and it features multiple scenes of Velma finally having a queer storyline. Check out the scene alongside a fan’s excited reaction on Twitter:
OMG LESBIAN VELMA FINALLY CANON CANON IN THE MOVIES LETS GOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/0ilx2uid1qOctober 3, 2022
In the new movie, Velma gets an obvious crush on a costume designer named Coco Diablo, so much so her glasses fog up. And this isn't not the only scene where Velma's interest in Coco is made known either. Pretty much whenever she’s around her, Velma is all heart eyes.
I never thought I'd live to see the day when Velma is very clearly having gay thoughts on-screen pic.twitter.com/CnL0DzHZwAOctober 4, 2022
The character has been around for over 50 years, but seen numerous origins and versions on screen. While there’s been some previous hinting, Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! outright makes it clear and that feels particularly rare for a mainstream queer character – especially in animation as well. Here’s another reaction:
velma melted her glasses off simping for this girl, I'm crying. pic.twitter.com/oyI24co6gUOctober 4, 2022
So that’s why she’s always looking for her glasses, huh? For many years, LGBTQ+ fans have also shipped Velma and Daphne together. Another way Velma has aligned with the gay community is when Hayley Kiyoko, who is nicknamed “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans, was cast as Velma in multiple TV live-action movies. Following the news, the musician and actress shared her thoughts too:
I remember booking Velma in 2008. It was my first big role in a movie. I also remember thinking ‘I wonder if they know they hired a lesbian as Velma’ here we are, 14 years later……😂 love you all so muchOctober 4, 2022
It’s great to see another 2022 movie release represent the queer community! Following James Gunn’s Scooby-Doo movie, which was initially rated R and had parents “outraged,” never making it to screen with Velma as a queer character intact, the latest Scoob! movie was recently canceled by Warner Bros.Though we don’t know the whole reason as to why, it was reportedly nearly complete.
Coming up next for the teen detective, Mindy Kaling is set to head a Velma HBO Max spinoff series, which will be an adult comedy animated series. Kaling will voice the role alongside being an executive producer on the series. Velma is an iconic part of the Scooby-Doo franchise and clearly a favorite, so it’s exciting to see her finally be realized in a way many creatives behind the character have envisioned.
