The Ultimate Marvel Revelation: Unveiling the Hero Cut from 4 Blockbuster MCU Films

Warning: The following article contains SPOILERS for Loki season 2 episode 3

Summary

In Loki season 2 episode 3, a surprising revelation occurs as Loki and Mobius journey through time on Earth and encounter Victor Timely, a previously undisclosed sibling of Thor within the MCU.

The Asgardian hero, who was intended to appear in multiple MCU Thor movies and Doctor Strange 2, has been consistently abandoned and has yet to make an appearance.

In Loki season 2 episode 3, Jonathan Majors reprises his role as Kang variant Victor Timely. However, there is an even more explosive character revelation that has been hinted at since an MCU Phase 1 movie released 12 years ago. With the Marvel movie franchise's expansive scale, it is unsurprising that there is a long list of planned events that never came to fruition. Despite Loki's return in the MCU, leading into Avengers: Kang Dynasty and the demise of the Sacred Timeline, one of these missed opportunities has finally been addressed and could have implications for future Marvel films.

Since his introduction in 2011, Chris Hemsworth's Thor franchise has seen significant additions to his family. In Thor: Ragnarok, the character Hela (played by Cate Blanchett) was introduced as his vengeful sister. Then, in Thor: Love & Thunder, Love (played by India Hemsworth) was revealed as Thor's daughter, her true father being the terrifying Gorr (played by Christian Bale) after her biological father's death. This was a rare positive development for Thor, considering the deaths of his parents, his brother Loki (from Thor's perspective), the short-lived appearance and demise of Hela, and the tragic death of Jane Foster. However, it appears that Thor may not have been as alone as he believed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Loki season 2 teases a major revelation that could have world-altering implications for the God of Thunder.

Loki Finally Confirms Thor's Other Forgotten Brother

In Thor: Ragnarok, Hela escapes her magical imprisonment, revealing a surprising new branch in Thor's MCU family tree. Previously, it was understandable why Hela was kept secret as her memory would tarnish Odin's reputation. However, Loki season 2 episode 3 unveils another sibling of Thor named Balder the Brave. This revelation seems illogical, as Thor should have been aware of Balder's existence.

During a trip to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Loki and Mobius encounter statues of Odin, Thor, and Balder the Brave. These statues confirm a long-teased notion in the MCU that Thor and Odin had visited Earth in the past, where their adventures became the stuff of legends. The addition of Balder to this narrative is surprising, especially since he stands alongside Thor and Odin, indicating his involvement in these celebrated exploits. Strangely, Thor has never mentioned Balder's existence in the MCU.

Who Is Balder the Brave?

Within the realm of Marvel comics, Balder is portrayed as Thor's Asgardian half-brother and holds a significant role as a trusted companion, much like the Warriors Three. He remains fiercely loyal to Odin and is revered as the God of Light, possessing remarkable combat skills that surpass even Thor in terms of speed and agility. Notably, Balder serves as a pivotal figure in the Marvel Comics depiction of Ragnarok, contributing to the downfall of Asgard. Distinguishing himself from other Asgardians, Balder exhibits a heightened sense of empathy and displays a more gentle nature compared to Thor, although he still exhibits great prowess in battle. Due to his beloved nature and the profound impact he has on those he encounters, Balder's legend perseveres on Earth within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite the franchise's minimal introduction of his character. However, it cannot be said that creators did not make an effort in incorporating him into the storyline.

The MCU Has Tried & Failed To Use Balder The Brave FOUR Times

Balder the Brave holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most neglected character in the entire history of the MCU. Most recently, there was speculation that Balder would make a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as the seventh member of the Illuminati. However, this idea was ultimately abandoned late in the production process. There were persistent rumors suggesting that Daniel Craig would portray this Asgardian character, but he denied these claims. On the other hand, Elizabeth Olsen hinted that the cast anticipated Craig's involvement. Nevertheless, even before this potential sequel, Balder was originally intended to appear in all three of the first MCU Thor films. As confirmed by Graham Churchyard, the costume designer, extensive design work was done for Balder the Brave. Unfortunately, the production team faced significant delays in casting the character, which ultimately led to his exclusion. It is disheartening to know that Balder came close to appearing in Thor 1, Thor 2, and Thor 3, but was ultimately left out. Marvel's archive book even contains designs of Balder's helmet dating back to Kenneth Branagh's Thor film. After such a long wait, it seems unlikely that Balder will make an appearance anytime soon.

Due to the travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, I was unable to travel to the States from my current location on the south coast of the UK. The situation became even more complicated when it came to the design stage of introducing new characters like Balder the Brave, as we faced difficulties in bringing over actors due to the reverse travel ban and other constraints.

While the destruction of Asgard may make it seem unlikely for Balder to appear in future MCU projects, it is certain that he exists within the universe. Perhaps this could be explored in Thor 5, especially now that Loki season 2 has set up possibilities.

New episodes of Loki season 2 release every Wednesday on Disney+