Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth movie in the Thor saga and the 29th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is a direct sequel to the third installment, titled Thor: Ragnarok.

It was first announced in July 2019 at the San Diego Comic-Con panel, alongside other movies in development for Phase 4 of the MCU.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thor: Love and Thunder will see Taika Waititi returning to the directorial seat after working on Thor: Ragnarok. He also co-wrote the script alongside Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Sweet/Vicious, Someone Great, Strangers).

Familiar faces from the previous films and the Guardians of the Galaxy will return and reprise their respective roles, such as Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster, who will also be Mighty Thor), Chris Pratt (Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord), Pom Klementif (Mantis), Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer), Karen Gillan (Nebula), and many more.

The tale of thunder

I love the Thor: Love and Thunder crew hat because the design on the front is very reminiscent of Owen Hart's original heel logo. pic.twitter.com/5v3VvtwvU1

— Jim Velasco (@TheJimmyV) September 21, 2021

There is still no detail regarding the plot of the film. However, it might pick up after the ending of Avengers: Endgame, where Thor left Valkyrie in charge of New Asgard, a town in Norway known as Tønsberg and has become the new home for Asgardians who survived the destruction of Asgard and the Snap.

The story is also influenced by Jason Aaron's comics, in which Jane Foster will be taking over the mantle of Thor.

It is in The Mighty Thor, that Jane Foster suffers from cancer. Every time she transforms into Thor and wields Mjolnir, she effectively cancelled her cancer treatment. In a way, being a superhero was, in a literal sense, killing her.

This part of the plot seems to be confirmed by Natalie Portman during her interview with Fatherly on December 14. 

"...I’m trying to think—it’s based on the graphic novel of The Mighty Thor. She’s going through cancer treatment and is a superhero on the side,” said Portman in the interview.

Portman's character, Jane Foster, was featured in the first two films of Thor. She's an astrophysicist and the love interest of Thor. Her character was then written out of the film, as Portman was unsatisfied with the role she was given. After she was offered the role for Love and Thunder, she said yes to returning to the MCU.

Meanwhile, it looks like Chris Hemsworth will rock his old long hair again, after donning short hair in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War. He also trained and bulked up with diet plans up to 4,500 calories a day.  The filming for Love and Thunder was almost delayed due to his old measurement no longer fitting him, and the art department had to alter the costume last minute. 

Get to know Gorr

In January 2020, Christian Bale was announced to join the roster of casts to play the villain of the film, Gorr the God Butcher.

In the Marvel comics, Gorr is an alien who's bald and has a pair of long, Twi'lek-esque tentacles that sprout out of his head and run down past his neck. Fans who had seen Bale's bald look on the set might not be so surprised considering the character's physique.

Gorr only targets Gods in the comics. He was once a happy, humble family man, but had to witness his family taken from him. Fueled by anger due to his unanswered prayers, he concluded that all gods are unworthy of love and devotion. 

 

 

 

 

 

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It is unconfirmed how much the film will stay true to the comics. If it stays faithful, Thor will face a difficult opponent as Gorr possesses immortality and a host of other powers like enhanced strength, speed, durability, regeneration, and flight. He also has an ancient weapon called All-Black the Necrosword. 

Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on July 8, 2022.