Thor: Love and Thunder saw a mixed response from fans, with some loving it and others refusing to acknowledge its existence. Despite these opinions, Chris Hemsworth is expected to reprise his role, although fans remain skeptical about the potential value it will bring to the MCU. If Hemsworth does secure another film, he will be the first Marvel character to have a fifth installment.
Unfortunately, Thor has been considered the weakest of the MCU movies, except for the highly acclaimed Thor: Ragnarok. This success led fans to believe that Love and Thunder, with the same team behind it, would also be enjoyed. That's why the next Thor movie should take inspiration from Hugh Jackman's Logan, a comic book film that dared to be different and is still held in high regard by fans today.
How Logan Changed Wolverine's Story
Wolverine, even prior to his appearance in the X-Men films, had already gained a significant following. Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the character not only deepened fans' admiration but also expanded the fanbase. Throughout his story, Wolverine has always been burdened with tragic experiences, such as a erased memory of his troubled childhood, enduring traumatic military experiments, and experiencing unreturned love. However, the film Logan presented a new and unexpected side of the character. Audiences witnessed Wolverine grappling with his mortality and the challenges of parenthood.
Logan, directed by James Mangold, was inspired by Mark Millar's and Steve McNiven's Old Man Logan comic book series. The film portrays Wolverine at a point of extreme despair in a bleak future that mirrors his own decline. The X-Men had disbanded long before the events of the film, and mutants were steadily disappearing from the world. Mangold deliberately subverted the typical superhero narrative that emphasizes optimism and nobility, presenting a contrasting perspective in Logan. The movie portrayed a world where even the most capable of doing good chooses to live a mundane life and avoid involvement in superhero affairs.
Besides being a superhero movie with an R-rating, what sets this film apart from other superhero movies and what Wolverine fans are aware of is the finality of it. Although Deadpool 3 will bring back Hugh Jackman as Wolverine for one final appearance, Logan marked the conclusion of a story. The audience expected these characters to exist indefinitely, but Logan took a different approach. It presented a way for these characters to leave a lasting impact and continue the narrative. Without a proper conclusion, every superhero merely embodies futility and inevitability. There will always be a battle that needs to be fought.
Thor as the All-Father
Thor, the God of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has a significant journey he has yet to embark on: becoming the All-Father. Although Thor technically assumes the role of the All-Father following Odin's death in Thor: Ragnarok, he never showcases the formidable abilities that he should have inherited from his late father. In essence, Odin failed to pass down these powers to Thor.
After taking over for Odin as the All-Father, Thor's powers experience a tremendous boost, known as the Odin Force. By harnessing the cosmic and mystical energies of Asgard, the All-Father becomes capable of extraordinary feats, such as containing a nuclear explosion if necessary. Fans are eager to witness Thor unleash this power in his own film. While the previous Thor movies have focused on personal narratives, they have yet to fully capture the emotional depth these stories can achieve.
Granting Thor such immense abilities may seem like he becomes overpowered, but the balance remains intact. As he exerts more power, he gradually weakens until he requires rest. Asgardians call this the OdinSleep, but with Thor assuming the role of the All-Father, it would be referred to as the ThorSleep. This process was witnessed by MCU fans in the first Thor movie when Odin went through it. The duration of the All-Father's slumber is not predetermined, allowing the writers to further enhance the intrigue of a concluding Thor film.
Thor 5 is Still not Official
There is currently no release date set for Thor 5. However, if audiences remain until the end of the credits, they will notice a banner stating "Thor will return," clearly indicating that a fifth installment is on the horizon. Additionally, Kevin Feige has acknowledged that there are still untold stories within Thor's universe, and Love and Thunder left certain loose ends that could be tied up in a final fifth movie.
At the conclusion of Love and Thunder, viewers witness Thor adopting Gorr's daughter, Love. He takes her under his wing, training her, and together they dedicate themselves to protecting those in need. This alone could serve as a deeply intimate narrative for Thor's departure from the MCU. While a post-credits scene introduces Hercules, hinting at an inevitable clash between the two gods and promising exciting action sequences, what truly completes a final Thor film is the reunion of Asgard's rightful heirs.
Thor remains oblivious to the fact that Loki still exists, although in a parallel timeline. Viewers witnessed an astonishing response from Loki upon witnessing his own demise inflicted by Thanos, showcasing an extensive evolution of his character within mere minutes. While fans hold a fondness for Thor from the comics, Taika Waititi's portrayal of the character has created a divide among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiasts. Consequently, a profound, emotive, and notably unconventional approach is required in order for fans to bid their farewells to Thor in a satisfying manner.
