Thor is set to return for a fourth solo outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a new film called Thor: Love and Thunder.
It's one of the most anticipated non-Avengers movies ever, especially given some of the news and rumours that have been circulating about it. Although this MCU adventure is still a few months out from debuting in cinemas, Pocket-lint thought now would be a good time to break down everything we know so far about Love and Thunder, plus detail how to catch up in advance of the movie's premiere and also discuss when and where it'll be available to stream after it hits theatres.
We're even keeping our eye open for the first trailer once it lands and will update this guide as soon as it's available.Â
Thor Love and Thunder: What to expect
TL;DR
A common theme with Marvel's comic adaptions for the MCU is the storylines usually differ in small but incredibly meaningful ways. Love and Thunder is rumoured to be inspired or loosely based upon a run of Thor comics, written by Jason Aaron, which sees Jane Foster take on the mantle of Thor when the original Thor loses the ability to lift his hammer. The comic also sees Foster fight cancer.
So, we could see a female Thor in Love and Thunder. There are other rumours circulating about the film, such as a speculative Beta Ray Bill storyline or Valkyrie's possible search for a Queen to help her rule Asgard or maybe a tie-in with the Guardians of the Galaxy. We've summarised all these rumours below.
Keep in mind none or all of them could end up being true.
Thor returns as the Norse God
Endgame represented the end of a decade-long journey for the Avengers; it was also slated to be Hemsworth's final film, according to reports about his film contract. This had us wondering if he would ever play the character again. However, a fourth Thor film was announced as part of Marvel's "Phase Four" plans, with a confirmation that Hemsworth will return as the Norse God.
Hemsworth has even posted shots of himself playing Thor while on the set.
Valkyrie looks for a Queen to rule
Along with Hemsworth's Thor, Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie will return, with one potential plot centering on her search for a Queen to help rule Asgard.
New pic of Tessa Thompson bts of Thor: Love and Thunder pic.twitter.com/WABXtp2knL
â€" ɱarvel archives+ (@marvelarchives_) January 3, 2022
Thompson also let slip that a draft of Love and Thunder even included space sharks.
Jane will wield the Mjolnir
There's another major star from the previous Thor films reportedly returning... Natalie Portman, but she's going from Thor's love interest to the God of Thunder herself. Â We'd forgive you if you thought you were done seeing her in Marvel films. Portman played Jane Foster in the first two Thor films but stopped appearing in them after 2013's The Dark World. Thor even mentioned the two breaking up in Avengers: Endgame.
#Thor director Taika Waititi explains how he got Natalie Portman to return to the MCU #D23 #ThorLoveAndThunder https://t.co/x7MfH5gbUM pic.twitter.com/Sl8GZWeTS0
â€" Variety (@Variety) August 24, 2019
However, when Marvel announced Love and Thunder at Comicon in 2019, the film's director, Taiki Waititi, revealed that Portman's character is coming back and wielding Mjolnir as the female version of Thor.Â
Christian Bale as the villain
Daily Mail revealed Christian Bale will play the villain known as Gorr the God Butcher. The actor was spotted on set for additional photography in Malibu, California, decked out in an all-white cloak with his face coated in white paint for shooting. Bale's character is an alien who hails from a planet afflicted by environmental calamities and whose prayers to the gods go unanswered.
The first look at Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder!
â€" Thor: Love and Thunder News (@lovethundernews) August 4, 2021
Filming has resumed in Malibu
(via Daily Mail) pic.twitter.com/2RHo4zG1VJ
Taika at the wheel, and voicing Korg
Oh, there's one other confirmed character worth knowing: Korg. Taika Waititi will return to voice Thor's friend. He will write and direct the film, too.
Remember - he directed Ragnarok, which many believe to be one of the best and most humourous Thor films.Â
Thor Love and Thunder: Cast and crew
We discussed this in detail via the section above, but here's a summary of the main cast members confirmed so far for Love and Thunder:
- Chris Hemsworth - Returning to play Thor
- Natalie Portman - Returning as Jane Foster
- Tessa Thompson - Returning as Valkyrie
- Christian Bale - Gorr the God Butcher
- Taika Waititi - Returning as Korg and to write and direct
The following cast members will also reportedly appear in the film:
- Chris Pratt - Star-Lord/Peter Quill
- Jaimie Alexander - Sif
- Pom Klementieff - Mantis
- Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
- Karen Gillan - Nebula
- Sean Gunn - Kraglin Obfonteri
- Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
- Vin Diesel - The voice of Groot
- Matt Damon - Asgardian Actor Loki
- Sam Neill - Asgardian Actor Odin
- Luke Hemsworth - Asgardian Actor Thor
- Melissa McCarthy - Asgardian Actor Hela
- Russell Crowe - Zeus
- Ben Falcone - TBC
- Jenny Morris - TBC
- Simon Russell Beale - TBC
Thor Love and Thunder: Release date
Thor: Love and Thunder will release on 8 July 2022. It was originally scheduled to hit theatres in February and then in May but was delayed multiple times due to the ongoing pandemic.Â
Thor Love and Thunder: Where to stream
Marvel has not yet announced a streaming release date for the US and the UK, but one can assume it'll release on Disney+ after the 45-day cinema window closes. Most other MCU movies are also on Disney+.
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Thor Love and Thunder: Trailers
There are still no trailers for the next Thor movie, amazingly. Pocket-lint will update this guide once one becomes available.
Thor Love and Thunder: How to catch up
To be prepared for Love and Thunder, at a minimum, you should watch the previous Thor installments. Those are Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
Watch those movies, and you'll have a solid understanding of what's happening in the new movie. But because you still have months before Love and Thunder premieres in cinemas, perhaps consider watching all the movies and shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a lot, we know. But Pocket-lint happens to have a neat watch guide here that details how to watch everything chronologically.
Want to know more?
Check out our guide on upcoming Marvel films, Marvel post-credit scenes, plus how to watch every Marvel movie in chronological order.
What is the best streaming device for your TV? Our top recommendation is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Also excellent are the Google Chromecast with Google TV, the Roku Express 4K, the Apple TV 4K and the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
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