Natalie Portman’s return to the MCU in Thor: Love and Thunder already looks perfect.
Directed by Taika Waititi and written by Taika and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson — who is best known for the underrated and amazing series Sweet/Vicious and Netflix’s Someone Great — this new movie will mark the fourth standalone Thor film in the MCU, and the second time Taika has directed one.
Up until this point, very little was known about the actual plot of Thor: Love and Thunder after it was announced way back at San Diego Comic-Con 2019.
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
Basically, the movie picks up following the events of Avengers: Endgame with Thor deciding to travel with the Guardians of the Galaxy, as he tries to find his new purpose.
Chris Hemsworth has always been so good at balancing Thor’s comedic moments with very heartwarming ones, and this movie looks like it’s playing to those strengths so perfectly.
Meanwhile, in New Asgard, King Valkryie — hi, yes, Tessa Thompson in a suit, thank you so much, Taika — is apparently adjusting to her new role as the Asgardians find their place among Earth.
And while seeing the Guardians, Thor deciding he doesn’t want to be a superhero anymore, and King Valkyrie were all amazing, nothing could’ve prepared me for the audible gasp I let out at the end of the trailer.
We officially have our first look at Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster as Mighty Thor.
Like, look at her!
Jane is also wielding what appears to be a repaired version of Thor’s hammer Mjölnir — or Jonathan if you’re Paul Rudd.
There’s nothing else to really add her except: Natalie. looks. epic. And basically, just like me, everyone is rightly freaking out about Natalie’s epic new storyline in Thor: Love and Thunder:
@noradominick / Via Twitter: @noradominick
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JANE AS THE MIGHTY THOR IN THE THOR LOVE AND THUNDER TRAILER IM SCREAMING #ThorLoveAndThunder
@visiondarling / Via Twitter: @visiondarling @civiIswar / Via Twitter: @civiIswar @wandasolsen / Via Twitter: @wandasolsen
I will just be watching the first look at Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor in the ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ trailer on repeat.
@britany_murphs / Via Twitter: @britany_murphs @dorksofprey / Via Twitter: @dorksofprey
Natalie’s work in Thor: Love and Thunder marks her return to the MCU after she starred in Thor: The Dark World in 2013. Although Jane appeared in Avengers: Endgame, it was simply leftover footage from Dark World, but she did do some new voiceover work.
Jay Maidment / Disney / Marvel / Everett Collection
Speaking about why Natalie decided to return to the MCU for Thor: Love and Thunder, Kevin Feige explained in 2019, “We’d been in touch with Natalie. She’s part of the MCU family and we put she and Taika together. It took one meeting and she agreed to do it.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
In the comics, Jane gains Thor’s powers and the ability to wield Mjölnir while undergoing cancer treatment. Diagnosed with breast cancer, Jane doesn’t want to use magical treatments to help her, but once she hears Mjölnir calling to her, she goes and finds the hammer.
Zade Rosenthal / Paramount / Marvel / Everett Collection
Then, Jane is able to pick up and use Mjölnir and she gains Thor’s powers. This also happens after Thor loses the ability to wield the hammer. This storyline with the return of Jane happens in the run of comics titled Thor: God of Thunder, which ran from 2012 to 2014.
Tumblr / Marvel Studios / Via marvelgifs.tumblr.com
I am so SO excited for this movie and I cannot wait to see more trailers as we get closer to the premiere date. Let’s just hope I survive Doctor Strange* in the Multiverse of Madness first.
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
You can watch the full Thor: Love and Thunder teaser trailer below:
View this video on YouTube
Marvel Studios / Via youtu.be
Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 8, 2022.
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