Hela's Introduction in Thor: Ragnarok
In 2017, Marvel Studios introduced Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death, in the blockbuster hit Thor: Ragnarok. Portrayed by the talented Cate Blanchett, Hela was revealed to be Odin's firstborn child, the only daughter and secret sibling to Thor and Loki. Her menacing presence posed a significant threat to the God of Thunder, uncovering the truth about Odin's violent conquest across the Nine Realms.
Hela in her armor in Thor Ragnarok
During the events of Thor: Ragnarok, it was disclosed that Hela had fought alongside her father, Odin, in subjugating the Nine Realms under Asgard's rule. She was also unveiled as the original owner of Thor's enchanted hammer, Mjolnir. However, her banishment to Hel and eventual release following Odin's demise left many questions unanswered about her past and her mother's identity.
Hela and Odin in Asgard empire art
The Mystery of Hela's Mother
The mystery surrounding Hela's mother has been a subject of intrigue and speculation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Odin introduced Hela as his firstborn and Thor and Loki's sister, her origins differ from the traditional Norse mythology and Marvel Comics. The identity of her mother remains shrouded in mystery, with Thor's reference to Hela as his half-sister, indicating that they share the same father but different mothers.
Frigga in Asgard in Thor The Dark World
What If...? season 2 revisited the mystery by having Hela refer to Frigga as her father's 'new girlfriend,' reaffirming that Frigga is not her mother. This revelation raises the question of who could have mothered the enigmatic Goddess of Death, hinting at the potential importance of her mother's identity in the future of the Marvel Studio's Thor franchise.
Dark Hela in Valkyrie's flashback in Thor Ragnarok
Significance of Hela's Mother in the MCU
The resurgence of interest in Hela's mother's identity, particularly in What If...? season 2, suggests that her lineage could hold significant importance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's future. Despite Hela's apparent elimination in Thor: Ragnarok, the repeated references to her mother hint at a potential storyline involving her mother's character. Marvel Studios may soon introduce Hela's mother, possibly as a powerful antagonist in Thor 5, adding depth to the narrative and resolving the long-standing mystery surrounding Hela's origins.
Hela in her new white costume in What If...? season 2
