The Enigmatic Disappearance of Balder the Brave: Unmasking the Truth Behind Thor's Missing Brother

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Loki season 2, episode 3, "1893."

Summary

Loki Season 2, Episode 3 alludes to the presence of Balder the Brave within the MCU, validating his existence within this universe.

The inclusion of Balder in the Norse diorama insinuates his potential significance or potential appearance in upcoming MCU installments.

The absence of Balder in the MCU, despite his relation to Thor and his Norse deity status, suggests that he may be deceased. However, his presence in the diorama implies the potential for his return or involvement in upcoming projects, such as the next Thor film. In Loki Season 2, Episode 3, a perplexing and exciting scene showcased a diorama featuring Balder the Brave, Thor's previously unmentioned brother. Though it did not divulge his fate, this scene, as acknowledged by Director Kasra Farahani, aimed to remind Loki and the audience of his divine heritage while subtly demeaning Loki by excluding him from the chosen gods. Yet, it is probable that this nod to the audience holds more significance than a mere comedic moment, potentially paying off in future MCU installments.

The Asgardian characters in the MCU have been relatively scarce when compared to their comic counterparts. Notably, Enchantress, a significant Asgardian, has not been acknowledged in the MCU. With the destruction of Asgard (or at least its original location), it initially appeared that the MCU had settled on the current roster of Asgardians as its definitive lineup. However, Loki contradicts this by mentioning Balder the Brave, thereby confirming his existence or past existence in the MCU.

Loki Finally Confirms Balder The Brave Exists

While observing the Norse diorama at the Chicago World Fair, Loki and Mobius both acknowledge Balder's presence in their own distinct ways. Loki questions why Balder was included, remarking, "No one's even heard of him." In response, Mobius counters, "Sure they have, 'Balder the Brave.'" Loki's statement alludes to the fact that Balder has yet to make an appearance in the MCU, while Mobius confirms his significance within the universe. Although the episode's Director dismisses the idea that this foreshadows Balder's introduction in the MCU, it could potentially be a deliberate diversion.

Balder almost made his debut in the MCU in the film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" as a member of the alternate-universe Illuminati. Daniel Craig, a well-known and respected actor, was set to portray him, adding credibility to the forgotten Asgardian character. Unfortunately, this plan never materialized. However, it is without a doubt that Craig's involvement in the MCU would have been highly anticipated, similar to the positive reception of Richard E. Grant's portrayal of Classic Loki in "Loki" Season 1.

Given that "Loki" revolves around multiple timelines and the Multiverse Saga, it is logical to assume that there are multiple versions of Balder somewhere in the Multiverse. The mere mention of Balder increases the likelihood of Loki encountering him in the series. As for the fate of Balder in the main MCU timeline, including the fact that he has not been mentioned until now, it remains a mystery.

Is Balder The Brave Dead?

Despite being the half-brother of Thor and a member of the Norse pantheon, Balder's absence in the MCU raises suspicions about his fate - he is believed to be dead. The fact that Balder did not appear during Asgard's destruction by Surtur adds weight to this theory. If Balder is indeed deceased, it is possible that he now resides in Valhalla, alongside Heimdall and Jane Foster, also known as The Mighty Thor. Including Balder in this equation suggests that there may be more to come from both Heimdall and The Mighty Thor in future MCU installments.

What Happened To Balder The Brave In Marvel Comics?

Similar to his mythical counterpart, Balder in the comics possessed invulnerability due to his connection to Ragnarök. Interestingly, Loki managed to bypass this invulnerability by orchestrating Balder's demise with a mistletoe arrow. However, as is often the case in Marvel Comics, this death was ultimately undone with the help of Odin. This significant connection between Balder and Loki adds depth to Balder's appearance in the Loki diorama, further underscoring his importance to the god of mischief.

Balder's resurrection storyline is complex, as he becomes king of both Asgard and Hel at certain moments. Recently, however, Balder has directly interacted with Hercules, who was seen in the post-credits scene of Thor: Love & Thunder and is expected to be in the next Thor movie. This suggests that if Balder is not used as a plot point in Loki, it is possible that the tease could lead to Balder's appearance in the new Thor movie instead. In any case, it is unlikely that the wooden statue of Balder the Brave represents his final appearance in the MCU.