Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth sequel to the franchise starring Chris Hemsworth. The actor recently said that he’s not yet leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after this film.
The movie will reunite Hemsworth with director Taika Waititi. Work on Thor: Love and Thunder was delayed amid COVID-19. However, the cast and crew, including Hemsworth, are not in a hurry to wrap things up.
Speaking with the Polish magazine Elle Man, Hemsworth said that he’s not finished with playing Thor. The fourth movie is not going to be his last in the MCU because he doesn’t have plans to retire from the franchise.
“Are you crazy?! I’m not going into any retirement period (laughs),” Hemsworth said. “Thor is way too young for that. He is only 1500 years old!”
Shake-up rumors involving Natalie Portman
For months, rumors surfaced that Thor: Love and Thunder will be Hemsworth’s last. He will follow his contemporaries, Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr, who said goodbye to their characters, Captain America and Iron Man, after ten years.
Speculations also cropped up that a female lead will take over the franchise after Hemsworth. Fans think that the return of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster will set the course for the Goddess of Thunder.
A photo of Portman carrying the Mjölnir during last year’s Comic-Con further sparked the rumors that she’s the new Thor.
Need some #MondayMotivation? Relive the excitement of the @MarvelStudios panel at #SDCC with our recap (including news that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor ⚡️): https://t.co/snQ8JJzYOG pic.twitter.com/luxrqJLrpT
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) July 22, 2019
But if the MCU follows the comic books, Hemsworth could still be in the Thor films. His character’s storyline in the comics evolved as he became the ruler of Asgard after Odin’s death.
Waititi updates on production
Meanwhile, Waititi said that they plan on starting work on Thor: Love and Thunder in Australia by February 2021. He said that the lockdown delays brought good things because they were able to refine the script.
Waititi hinted that they included more insane elements to this fourth installment. Speaking with BBC, the director and writer said that he has always wanted to do something he’s never done before, and this upcoming film has made this possible.
Hemsworth said that he has read parts of the script and feels excited about coming back. He also reiterated that he’s not yet out of the franchise.
“For sure in this production, there will be a lot of love and a lot of lightning (laughs). I’m glad that after all that happened in Avengers: Endgame, I’m still part of the Marvel Universe and we can continue the story of Thor.”
Thor: Love and Thunder is set for a February 2022 theater release.
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