Marvel just made history at the San Diego Comicon last July, when they revealed their phase 4 slate would include a fourth Thor film. And among the mind-blowing bombshells that they dropped for the Marvel Cinematic Universe fans was the return of Natalie Portman for Thor: Love and Thunder—wielding the hammer herself as THE Goddess of Thunder.
First of all, Natalie coming back even as Jane Foster is a shock in itself. Though repurposed footage from the first two Thor films brought her into Avengers: Endgame, this will be her first time playing the part since 2013’s Thor: The Dark World. Rumors swirled back in 2011 that the actress clashed with Marvel when they decided to part ways with original Thor 2 director Patty Jenkins. Her Endgame cameo was made possible by archival footage.
But after Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige convinced Natalie to meet with Thor: Ragnarok’s director Taika Waiti, she was on board to return in 2021.
You might be wondering how it’s possible for there to be both a male and female god of thunder within the same universe, and rightfully so—Thor is still very much alive, and Jane is just a mere mortal.
But don’t worry, this storyline isn’t coming out of thin air.
In Jason Aaron’s 2014 comic book iteration of the Thor storyline, the Avenger loses his claim to Mjolnir after becoming unworthy of its powers, so he starts calling himself Odinson and rides around on a giant goat in search of himself.
At the same time, his ex-girlfriend Jane is battling cancer but somehow finds herself stronger than ever and worthy of the magic hammer and harnesses Thor’s cosmic powers. She wields Mjolnir herself to battle the Frost Giants.
IMDb reports that writer Jason Aaron and illustrator Russel Dauterman have been spinning this Thor goddess yarn in the comics universe since 2014.
It gets wild from here—and may contain some spoilers, as Kevin Feige and Taika Waititi have both praised Jason and Russell’s work.
Suspicious? Maybe.
So Jane Foster is revealed as the new Thor.
There are a number of possible storylines we may see in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder film.
First, Doctor Doom—and you may know him as the villain in the previous Fantastic Four movie—may wall off the multiverse and create his own planet called: Battleworld, where he rules as a god. Doctor Strange is his judge as Sheriff Strange, and an entire team of Thors police the planet.
Jane could be among the Thors who holds the record for arresting 13 Hulks in a single night.
All of this is possible after the Doctor Strange Sequel: Multiverse of Madness (May 2021).
According to Screen Rant, when Jane lifted Mjolnir as female Thor, she acquired all of Thor’s superhero powers. Through the hammer, Female Thor had the power of flight as well as interdimensional transportation. She was additionally able to manipulate electricity and weather.
Jane’s new identity as female Thor also greatly transformed her physical appearance; every time she lifted the hammer, Mjolnir increased her strength and gifted her a helmet with long blonde hair and a costume that stood as a female equivalent to Thor’s iconic look.
Women power in the MCU is truly thriving.
Are you excited for Jane Foster to become worthy?
Let us know in the comments!
Photo courtesy of Natalie Portman’s Instagram account
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