WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Thor: Love and Thunder
After years of anticipation, the long-awaited continuation of Chris Hemsworth's titular hero's MCU journey with Thor: Love and Thunder has finally arrived in theaters. Only this time, two Mighty Thors are roaming around the MCU now that Natalie Portman's Jane Foster wields Mjolnir and possesses the godlike might of the God of Thunder.
Portman's return as Jane Foster marks a tremendous significance in the Thor franchise as she brings to life Marvel Comics' Lady Thor, Hemsworth's Thor female counterpart. However, Foster's Thor development is more complex due to her unfortunate health condition, wherein Mjolnir plays a vital part in her recovery. Beyond that, Foster still managed to sacrifice herself, save the children of Asgard, and overthrow Christian Bale's Gorr The God Butcher. Despite the film's ending that sees Foster's death, will fans still see her in the future of the MCU?
In a recent interview with Los Angeles Times, Natalie Portman praises Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi and also took her time to weigh in on her possible return to the franchise.
“I really love Taika’s ability to not have any rules about how [a comic book movie is] supposed to be," Portman said. "Having that kind of freeform and free possibility is so lucky, and really lucky for Jane as a female character, in particular. He really made room for her to be ridiculous and weak, and she didn’t just have to be this kick-ass tough girl all the time, which I think is sometimes the interpretation of what a feminist character would be."
The actress also addressed fans' criticism over Chris Hemsworth's titular hero passing the torch to her character. "I think a lot of fans are gonna potentially assume, ‘Oh, OK, this is the passing on of the torch’...," she said. "I’m not privy to any plans Marvel has for the future, but I don’t think that’s the case."
Nonetheless, Portman remains open to returning to the MCU despite her character's demise at the end of the film, believing that anything is still possible. “I am open to anything. It’s such a cool character and I feel like anything is possible," she concluded.
In one of Thor: Love and Thunder post-credits scenes, Foster was spotted meeting Heimdall in Valhalla, seemingly making her death definitive. Nevertheless, knowing the MCU, Portman can indeed return in the subsequent Thor-related MCU projects. With Portman's triumphant Hollywood career, why would Marvel Studios think twice about her being a mainstay in the mega-franchise? While it's still too early to assume whether she will actually return, Waititi still guaranteed that she had a momentous journey as the Mighty Thor.
Thor: Love and Thunder is now showing in theaters worldwide.
Also read: Thor: Love and Thunder Harnesses $302M Opening Weekend at Global Box Office
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