With the internet allowing for marginalized voices to make themselves seen and heard, artistic mediums have followed suit and have responded with greater representation of such previously less than visible groups. Video games have seen prominent characters such as Tracer from Overwatch confirmed to be LGBTQ+ and have made digital spaces for gamers to celebrate queer pride.  However, it was not that long ago that the higher forces of power in media were quick to shut down such representation. One such example that has now come to light is the confirmation that Velma in the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo movie was supposed to be “explicitly gay.”

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

The writer of the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo movie James Gunn recently responded to a tweet regarding Velma Dinkley’s sexuality in the film on his official Twitter account. Gunn had been sent fan tweets requesting a third Scooby-Doo film, with one fan desperately wanting a lesbian Velma, which has been a common fan perception of the character’s sexuality for a number of years. Well, according to Gunn, that was his original intent when he wrote the screenplay for the Scooby film and the character played by Linda Cardellini.

In the film, Dinkley was supposed to be “explicitly gay”, but intervention from the studio led to scenes that would reflect this being made all too subtle. Sadly, not even these versions of the scenes made the eventual final cut. This only ended up deviating further from Gunn’s original vision when Seth Green was introduced as Patrick Wisely, a heterosexual romantic interest for Velma, in Scooby-Doo 2. It is likely that this was also the studio’s mandate, to which Gunn had to comply. Even as of this year’s Scoob! animated film, Dinkley, nor any of the core Scooby-Doo characters have been made explicitly LGBTQ+ in any film. Hopefully one day, Velma is allowed to come out of the Mystery Machine. That would have fans gasp and say “Jinkies!”

Are you guys disappointed that Velma Dinkley was not allowed to be gay in the live-action Scooby-Doo movie? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest movie news, such as the Uncharted movie’s plans to begin shooting soon, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!