Natalie Portman has confirmed an important storyline in the upcoming Marvel film, Thor: Love and Thunder, which stars Chris Hemsworth. The fourth film in the franchise will apparently be based on the comics, Mighty Thor.
In an interview to promote her new children’s book, Portman revealed that she has been extensively training for Thor: Love and Thunder. The actress said she needed to develop muscles for a very challenging role.
“I can’t tell you that much. I’m really excited,” Portman said. “[The movie] is based on the graphic novel of the Mighty Thor. [My character] is going through cancer treatment and is a superhero on the side.”
The challenges of Lady Thor
In the Marvel comic series, Portman’s character, Jane Foster, becomes the new wielder of the powerful Mjolnir while she is battling cancer. Wielding the weapon has a profound effect on her cancer treatments, but she gains strength and power as Lady Thor.
What this means, however, is that Jane slowly diminishes her life each time she picks up Mjolnir. But she has to assume the role of the superhero because Thor becomes “unworthy” in this upcoming movie.
Portman’s return to the Thor franchise was not a secret. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) did hint that Jane could be the new Thor after the actress attended the Comic-Con event in San Diego in 2019.
She appeared at that event carrying the Mjolnir, sending fans into a frenzy. But the recent interview is the first time Portman has ever said anything about the rumored plotline.
Not Hemsworth’s last Thor
Despite Lady Thor’s introduction in the franchise to take over Thor, Hemsworth said that he’s not yet retiring as the God of Thunder. Speaking with Elle Man, the actor hinted that he still wants to continue playing Thor indefinitely.
“I am not going into any retirement period,” the actor said. “Thor is way too young for that. He’s only 1,500 years old.”
Incidentally, Hemsworth is the only member of the original Avengers to have a fourth movie. Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. both signed off on playing Captain America and Iron Man, respectively, after last year’s Avengers: Endgame.
Meanwhile, Thor: Love and Thunder is set to start filming in early 2021. Director Taika Waititi, who did the third movie, will be at the helm with Tessa Thomson, Christian Bale joining Hemsworth and Portman. The film has a February 2022 release schedule.
Image courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)