The hashtag for the Victor Magtanggol press con topped trending topics last night and social media had mixed reactions. On one side, Alden Richards‘ fans expressed their support for the show and his titular role. Another side couldn’t help but point out how it’s a rip-off of Marvel’s Thor.
This concern was raised before which prompted the show’s concept creator Jules Katanyag to explain that it wasn’t based on the MCU film, but Norse mythology. He also made it clear that Victor Magtanggol happens in present time and set in the Philippines. (The trailer shows them somewhere in Europe.) Still, one can’t help but notice the similarities and it’s not just with Thor. We’re not saying that they copied any movie, but some references aren’t easy to ignore. Here’s what we noticed from the Victor Magtanggol teaser materials so far.
Mjolnir
Let’s start with the Thor references first. Based on the photos, Alden is wearing armor while holding the mythical hammer when he transforms into Hammerman. The trailer shows a museum curator whose in charge of Norse artifacts, including Mjolnir. To be fair, though, it doesn’t look the same as the MCU version, but you can still the lightning that comes with it.
Iron gauntlet
You may be thinking “How can Victor wield Mjolnir?” since in the MCU films, only Thor can hold it. The other heroes almost get their shoulders dislocated when they try to lift it. (Save for Vision and Hela) But according to the synopsis, Victor will get an iron gauntlet so he’ll be able to use the hammer. Sort of sounds like he’s wearing the Infinity gauntlet, doesn’t it? Only it has one gem slot.
Thor himself
According to the character description, Thor (played by Conan Stevens) sacrificed himself during Ragnarok to save the world within the Yggdrasil, also known as “The World Tree.” Of course, he’s not a Chris Hemsworth lookalike (Pancho Magno’s character is a likely candidate) and there are no details yet on whether he’s going to re-appear in the present timeline. But I personally noticed a similar feature to a video game character.
The markings on Thor’s face and his facial hair reminds me of Kratos in God of War. The only difference is that the latter is from Sparta and the son of Zeus. It also just so happened that the latest game is based on Norse mythology too. Okay, enough geeking out from me.
The glowing circle
Some netizens pointed out that the magic glowing circle found on the character cards is similar to the one used in Doctor Strange. We’ll attach some of the film’s theatrical posters below and you be the judge.
A magic pendant
The Victor Magtanggol trailer showed Victor holding a compass pendant where he, I assume, gets his powers from. If you think that it looks like familiar, you’re right.
Remember the Eye of Agamotto from Doctor Strange? Yeah, his necklace that holds the Time Stone. That’s what Victor’s pendant reminded me of—it even has a glowing stone.
The reporter love interest
Janine Gutierrez plays Gwen, who is said to be Victor’s reporter friend and will fall in love with his superhero persona. This reminds us of Lois Lane in Superman in the journalist aspect, as well as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man with how she’ll fall for the hero. Coincidentally, she has the same name as Gwen Stacy, who is a journalist in Spider-Man 3.
Art by Marian Hukom
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