Scooby-Doo producer confirms Velma is gay
13 July 2020, 14:07
Scooby Doo release trailer for Daphne and Velma spin-off movie
James Gunn, who wrote Scooby-Doo: The Movie has also revealed that Velma was "explicitly gay" in the original script.
Scooby-Doo fans assemble. After years of speculation and theories, it's now officially been confirmed: Velma Dinkley is gay.
Velma Dinkley has always been a gay icon. Ever since Scooby-Doo debuted with Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! in the 1960s, LGBTQ+ viewers fell in love with her. Fans couldn't get enough of her intelligence, wit and how well she rocks her signature bob and glasses. Over the past 50 years, Velma has dominated pop culture with legends like Linda Cardellini playing her.
READ MORE: Matthew Lillard says not being cast as Shaggy in new Scooby Doo movie is a "bummer"
However, it turns out that Velma isn't just a gay icon; she's actually a lesbian. In other words, Velma is a gay, gay icon!
In June, Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated producer Tony Cervone posted an image of Velma and Marcie Fleach (a.k.a. Hot Dog Water) over a Pride flag. Fans then began arguing about Velma's sexuality in the comments. In the series, Velma has a relationship with Shaggy, however, many fans believe it's implied that Velma is more attracted to Marcie than Shaggy.
Now, Tony has revealed that Velma is definitely a lesbian. Responding to fans, he explained: "I've said this before but Velma in Mystery Incorporated is not bi. She's gay. We always planned on Velma acting a little off and out of character while she was dating Shaggy because that relationship was wrong for her and she had unspoken difficulty with the why."
He continued to state: "There are hints about the why in that episode with the mermaid, and if you follow the entire Marcie arc it seems as clear as we could make it 10 years ago. I don't think Marcie and Velma had time to act on their feelings during the main timeline, but post reset, they are a couple. You can not like it, but this was our intention."
Marcie was voiced by Linda Cardellini who played Velma in the live-action movie adaptations of the series.
Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated aired between 2010 and 2013 so it's possible that, had it been released now, Velma and Marcie would have had their relationship on screen. It's currently unclear if Velma was written as a closeted lesbian in the original series from the 70s or the movies but we're living for the news regardless.
Meanwhile, James Gunn, who wrote the live-action Scooby-Doo movie (2002), revealed that he originally planned for Velma to be lesbian in the film. Fans were tweeting, asking for James to make a Scooby-Doo 3 when someone asked: "Please make our live-action lesbian Velma dreams come true."
James then explained: "I tried! In 2001 Velma was explicitly gay in my initial script. But the studio just kept watering it down & watering it down, becoming ambiguous (the version shot), then nothing (the released version) & finally having a boyfriend (the sequel)."
I tried! In 2001 Velma was explicitly gay in my initial script. But the studio just kept watering it down & watering it down, becoming ambiguous (the version shot), then nothing (the released version) & finally having a boyfriend (the sequel). 😐 https://t.co/Pxho6Ju1oQ
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 13, 2020
Here's hoping that we get to see Velma be written as an out lesbian in a future edition of the franchise.
