It’s here; it’s finally here! We have a first look at Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder. It’s short, sweet, and glorious!
We haven’t seen the God of Thunder since he handed Asgard to Valkyrie and boarded the Milano with the Guardians of the Galaxy, whom Thor promptly renamed the Asgardians of the Galaxy. That bittersweet ending closed Thor’s Infinity Saga chapter at the end of Avengers: Endgame and set him up for something potentially even better.
Now, we finally get to see what the God of Thunder’s been up to in the meantime, and it looks like that journey is all about alone time. There’s no confirmation yet, but the Guardians are likely minimally present in this movie. It seems like they hatch a scheme to leave Thor with Korg, probably somewhere within the film’s first act.
The Thor: Love and Thunder teaser finds Thor “on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a quest for inner peace” — per the film’s official description. It’s rare that heroes — or gods — get the time for internal reflection, especially in the saturated Marvel Cinematic Universe. Taika Waititi, who directed and co-wrote this film with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, will carve out space for that vulnerable journey.
But Thor: Love and Thunder may also have a hilarious training montage ripped out of an 80’s movie, including a perfect needle drop. Waititi knows how to tell moving stories and have a good time with the material — look no further than Thor: Ragnarok.
Nevertheless, it’s exciting that Chris Hemsworth can find new ways to play this character he’s played since Thor debuted in the MCU in 2011. Though only introduced in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017, Tessa Thompson‘s Valkyrie is a fan-favorite character who will also be taking on a new journey in the upcoming film — King of (New) Asgard.
There is a brief shot of Valkyrie in a suit (!!!) at a table of diplomats as they hash out New Asgard’s democracy. Additionally, the trailer teases the return of the beloved Korg, introductions for Russell Crowe‘s Zeus at Mount Olympus. It keeps Christian Bale‘s Gorr the God Butcher a secret.
Gorr interrupts Thor’s retirement from the superhero life when the galactic killer “seeks the extinction of the gods.” Thor teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to combat the God Butcher. But, there’s a twist with Jane that many of us have been waiting years to see realized on the big screen — or the small screen.
When we think the trailer is over, Thor: Love and Thunder reveals one last surprise — Jane Foster suited up as Mighty Thor and wielding Mjolnir.
This character’s reintroduction to the MCU means Natalie Portman‘s return to Jane Foster since Thor: The Dark World in 2013. Of course, Portman briefly reprises her role in Avengers: Endgame in scenes meant to be flashbacks. This Thor film will be the first time that she gets to take Jane somewhere new in nearly a decade.
Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor (!!!) wielding Mjolnir is equally as exciting as seeing Chris Evans‘ Steve Rogers do the same. These moments are huge, and we only have to wait a little longer to see the former on the big screen!
Since the official description describes Jane as Thor’s ex-girlfriend, it’s more likely than not that this is the same Jane Foster from Thor’s past, instead of a Variant. All of the MCU’s multiverse details could suggest otherwise, but there’d be a more established emotional connection between the characters and any transfer of power if this is the same Jane.
Regardless, it’s reassuring to think this character will finally get her due in the MCU after all these years. It’s also super exciting to envision her teaming up with Thor, Korg, and Valkyrie. “Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.”
Take a look at the cosmic poster:
Watch the teaser trailer:
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What did you think of the Thor: Love and Thunder teaser? Let us know in the comments below!
Thor: Love and Thunder opens in theaters July 8, 2022!
