With Thor: Love and Thunder set to start production sometime in early 2021, fans are left wondering just what kind of Asgardian craziness Taika Waititi has in store for us. Although the MCU films definitely do their own thing separate from the original Marvel Comics, we’ve spotted heavy influenced by the original source material over the franchise’s run. Right now we know only a bit about what Love and Thunder will entail, but we have some ideas about which comics the film might draw from.
Asgardians of the Galaxy
Marvel Comics
We last saw the Odinson at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. Thor had decided to leave Earth behind and head to the stars with the Guardians of the Galaxy. From all indications so far, it doesn’t seem that the Guardians are going to play a big part in Love and Thunder, but a cameo appearance seems inevitable. Vin Diesel has already suggested they will show up, if only to transition Chris Hemsworth’s character from point A to point B.
But if we do seem them, it wouldn’t be shocking to see a version of the team that has expanded to become the “Asgardians of the Galaxy.” That term was jokingly dropped by Thor in Endgame, but it was an actual comic book. The series ran for ten issues, from 2018 to 2019. It featured characters like Valkyrie and Skurge, who have already been introduced on the big screen. Soon, the Asgardians of the Galaxy might pop up in some form on film too, even if only for a brief moment.
The Mighty Thor
Marvel Comics
With Natalie Portman returning as Jane Foster and becoming the new Thor, it would indicate that Love and Thunder will be heavily influenced by writer Jason Aaron’s The Mighty Thor run of comics, drawn by Russell Dauterman. During this several-year arc, we saw Jane wield mighty hammer Mjölnir. But there was a twist to it all. The new female Thor’s identity is a secret, and another secret is that Jane was battling breast cancer while performing as a hero.
Undergoing chemotherapy, she would become completely healthy when in Thor-mode. In mortal form, the chemo purges from her system, setting her back to square one. Ultimately, this new path would cost her her life. A tragic set of circumstances, but one that made for great drama. And it would be perfect to adapt into a film. Several comics chronicle Jane’s run as Thor, including Thunder in Her Veins, Lords of Midgard, The Asgard/Shi’ar War, The War Thor, and The Death of The Mighty Thor.
Thor: God of Thunder
Marvel Comics
Christian Bale trades his cape and cowl for something a bit more magical in Love and Thunder, although who he is playing remains a mystery. The only thing we know at the moment is that he is playing a villain. Rumors abound that he will be taking on the role of Gorr, the God Butcher. Introduced by Jason Aaron in 2013 during his Thor: God of Thunder run, Gorr grew up on an unnamed world. When his family all died tragically, he denounced his belief in gods, as no divine beings could exist and allow such suffering. Due to his heretical beliefs, Gorr was outcast by his people.
Eventually, Gorr discovered that gods did indeed exist, but didn’t help those in need like his family. Angered that these higher beings just couldn’t be bothered, he vowed to kill them all, becoming “the God Butcher.” Armed with his mystical Necrosword, he ultimately became a sworn enemy of Thor’s. You can read most of the Thor vs. Gorr stories in the God of Thunder collections, The God Butcher, Godbomb, The Accursed, and The Last Days of Midgard.
Jane Foster: Valkyrie
Marvel Comics
Although Jane “died” as Thor, she was recently reborn as one of the Valkyries. The Jane Foster: Valkyrie series, which began in 2019, is still currently running. The first few issues are collected in the trade, which showcases Jane taking on her new role as a guide and ferrywoman to the dead. We are not sure how much this comic will influence the upcoming movie, but we know that the MCU Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) is now King of Asgard and looking for a Queen. Could that Queen be Jane? It would make even more sense if Jane were also a Valkyrie, wouldn’t it?
Featured Image: Marvel Studios
