The grand transition from comic books to silver screens has allowed tentpole production companies to bring some of their source material’s most instrumental moments to cinema. In some cases, they’ve built upon the ideas that comics have lent them and elevated the simplest of possibilities into large-scale cinematic events. Indeed, Marvel Studios has been no stranger to subtlety when illustrating Marvel Comics through film and television. Some of the most memorable turning points from the comics have been explored through more extravagant creative liberty. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe finds its groove within its most current phase, post-The Infinity Saga, it means that Marvel Studios should follow the risk-taking editorial decisions that the comics have previously faced head-on, and turn over the spotlight to more niche storylines.
Thor: Love and Thunder promises to be more than just a collaboration between Taika Waititi and Marvel Studios following his work on Thor: Ragnarök. The fourth Thor film plans to hold a wealth of character crossovers and plot devices in its future, with Jane Foster’s transition into becoming the Mighty Thor nestled at the heart of Thor: Love and Thunder. It’s somewhat of a surprising direction for the Thor franchise to go in, especially since Natalie Portman wasn’t in Thor: Ragnarok and, what’s more, all but previously confirmed no desire to return to the franchise. Of course, it’s exciting that MCU’s Jane Foster will follow in her comic book counterpart’s footsteps, but the question is: how does Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster become the Mighty Thor?
How Does Jane Foster Become Thor?
The comics pinpoint that it is when Thor Odinson is off battling Gorr the God Butcher that Jane Foster fights a battle of her own: breast cancer. She is offered forms of magical treatments to lessen her suffering, though ultimately refuses, only accepting chemotherapy while representing Midgard as a member of the Congress of Worlds. Thor struggles to regain his ability to control Mjolnir during combat against Nick Fury and the hammer found itself inhabiting the moon, unsupervised by any being. Mjolnir calls out to Jane telepathically in an attempt to seek her out as its rightful master. Jane is reluctant to admit that she and Mjolnir are bonded, though succumbs to its calls. Hemidall is called on for assistance when Jane decides to retrieve the hammer from the moon, and once she claims Mjolnir as her own, she is bestowed with the power of Thor. After studying Thor for years, Jane teaches herself how to harness her newfound power.
There has been whispers around how Jane will take on the moniker of the Mighty Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though there is the probability that Waititi’s screenplay will closely follow the foundation laid out by the comics. Christian Bale has been cast as Gorr the God Butcher, a necessary component to a faithful adaptation of Jane becoming. However, The God Butcher positioning themselves to pose some sort of threat over Thor: Love and Thunder does not exactly give away the panel-to-screen translation of the comics to Marvel Studios. Because Mjolnir does not directly transfer its powers to those who are deemed worthy of wielding it within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jane cannot instantaneously undergo a thunderous transformation on-screen. The concept of variants flooding the MCU has raised whether The Mighty Thor may be a variant of Jane from an alternative timeline. Portman’s interlude away from the MCU means that the studio will have to address questions around her absence, which could directly permit the inclusion of Jane’s cancer diagnosis. However, Waititi and his creative team must also consider that there are other cosmic and Earth-bound events that have occurred outside of Thor: Love and Thunder, and should find a way to fold New Asgard into the fourth film.
Lady Thor vs The Mighty Thor: Is There a Difference?
The exact terminology of Marvel’s characters has the potential to be buried beneath alias upon alias, where one character falls under many names across the multitude of the multiverse. After Mjolnir deems Jane worthy of carrying it for herself and bearing Thor’s powers, she is primarily known as the Mighty Thor. Alternatively, she is granted the title of Lady Thor, which has been viewed as an interchangeable substitute. Despite contrary belief or public confusion due to the casualness in title-switching throughout the comics, the Mighty Thor and Lady Thor can both apply directly to Jane. She has additionally been referred to as the Goddess of Thunder, Thordis, and simply Thor through the extent of her printed lore.
Marvel Studios fans may not always find themselves rummaging through long boxes of comics to prep themselves for the next blockbuster preparing to dominate theaters worldwide. Regardless of how the transition of power between Odinson and Foster may transpire, it’s assumed that Marvel Studios could opt to refer to Foster as the Mighty Thor throughout the future of the MCU to avoid confusion that may arise.
Is Natalie Portman the New Thor?
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Thor: Love and Thunder is preparing to shuffle a well-established hierarchy and shake up the current standings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As The Infinity Saga fizzled out across the latest chapter in Marvel Studios’ greater plan, there has been a number of torch-passing from character to character throughout projects. The trend of legacies being taken on by others was first triggered by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) trusting Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) with the Captain America shield at the end of Avengers: Endgame. From there, he shed the title of the Falcon and assumed the role of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Similarly, Kate Bishop is granted permission to call herself “Hawkeye” as the first season of the Hawkeye series drew to a close, signifying a shift towards her claiming Clint Barton’s (Jeremy Renner) spot as the MCU’s designated archer. Future projects tease similar fates for characters and their narrative arcs.
It can therefore be alleged that Portman will step in for Hemsworth as he ebbs away from the role of Thor. Thor’s fate isn’t concrete yet, and while there hasn’t been word of whether he will face his demise or choose to step away from his current position in the MCU on a more uplifting tone, there is the impending notion of his prominence coming to an end. Portman is assumed to be installed as the next Thor within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, meaning it can be implied that she’ll take over the title altogether.
