Thor's character arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially, he was considered the most boring and expendable Avenger with two self-serious solo movies and a mostly expository role in The Avengers. However, Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok reimagined Thor as a comedic character and reimagined his world as a colorful '80s space opera like Flash Gordon. This comedic take on Thor took some tragic turns in the next two Avengers films, Infinity War and Endgame, which felt like the apex of his arc. However, Thor's Marvel adventures since then have felt aimless, with Thor: Love and Thunder failing to bring anything new to the table. With Chris Hemsworth taking a more careful approach to his career and open to returning only for a unique and special story, can Marvel salvage Thor's character arc or should they end his story on a low note?
Thor Feels Stuck In Limbo
Continuing to keep Thor around post-Avengers: Endgame initially seemed like a wise decision for the character. Unlike his mortal counterparts, the Infinity Saga was only a small portion of Thor's 1,500-year existence, and further exploring his story would showcase this fact. However, Thor: Love and Thunder ultimately demonstrated a lack of direction for the character. After losing everything, falling into a deep depression, and ultimately achieving inner peace, it's unclear where else Thor can go. While Ragnarok was praised for its humor and tone, Love and Thunder received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, with the script failing to fully utilize its potential source material. With uncertainty surrounding Chris Hemsworth's future as Thor and the MCU moving on to new storylines, it appears as though the character is in a state of creative limbo.
Marvel should provide Thor with a grand finale to wrap up his character arc, and the best way to do this is by having a Logan-style end-of-the-road last hurrah directed by a fresh visionary. Given the diverse range of Thor movies that the franchise has produced so far, including a pseudo-Shakespearean Thor movie, a medieval fantasy, and a couple of comedic, zany Thor movies, Thor 5 can be an epic all-action movie, similar in style to The Northman. Love and Thunder has already set up the perfect storyline with Hercules being sent to hunt down Thor. However, it's important to note that Thor's story cannot go on indefinitely, and it requires an appropriate ending to do justice to the character.
Loki Has Been Outshining His Brother
Loki’s unexpected rise to prominence in Phase Four of the MCU has been a surprise to many. Despite the popularity of Thor, Loki has become one of Marvel’s most important characters, thanks to the success of his Disney+ series. The show has been praised for its unique tone, outstanding performances, and limitless creativity, making it one of the standout projects of Phase Four. In addition, the Loki series is a crucial part of the ongoing “Multiverse Saga,” introducing audiences to a range of new universes and the MCU’s next major antagonist, Kang the Conqueror (or a variant of him). Given Loki’s success, it may be wise for Thor to take a backseat in his brother’s series rather than embark on yet another formulaic solo adventure.
Can There Be A Different Thor?
Perhaps it's time for Marvel to consider a fresh start for Thor, with a new actor and an entirely new storyline free from Hemsworth's Marvel commitments. Recasting a core Avenger would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but Thor's character arc has been much less defined than Tony Stark or Steve Rogers, with highs and lows that have been all over the map. While it's still important to keep Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America, a new actor might be just the thing to revitalize the character of Thor, especially with the multiverse offering endless possibilities.
