Some roles portrayed by actors prove to be so iconic that the mere mention of their name is to conjure scenes from that particular film and the character. For some, it’s a trap they wish to escape from, trying desperately to shift audience perception away from film’s of the past to focus solely on their future. But when it comes to Chris Hemsworth – the Aussie Golden Boy – the man is Thor. From the gym-honed physique that’s impossibly jacked to the buoyant charisma and humour, to think of Hemsworth is to see that magical hammer and armour fitted close to the chest. Now, just three months away from its release, Hemsworth and his Marvel co-stars are giving audiences a glimpse into the new film, Thor: Love and Thunder.
As those fans of the franchise will know, Avengers: Endgame saw the Norse God of Thunder make the decision to surrender the throne to Asgard, making way for Valkyrie (played by Tessa Thompson) to lead the rebuilding of the kingdom. It was something of a plot-twist when you consider the fact that Thor had been groomed for the role since birth, choosing instead to embark on a journey in the cosmos with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
But if the new trailer is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat with the franchise’s fourth instalment which happened to be filmed here in Australia and was also once again written by Taika Waititi. We’re introduced to a Thor that’s enjoying retirement, only to hear the sound of Guns ’N Roses Sweet Child O’Mine drop in the background as the former Avenger works out to shed his newly-formed gut. “These hands were once used for battle, now they’re but humble tools for peace,” explains Hemsworth’s Thor via voice-over as he sets aside his newly-forged battle-axe, Stormbreaker. “Now I need to figure out exactly who I am.”
We might get a glimpse of Russel Crowe as the Greek deity Zeus and Natalie Portman reprising her role as Jane Foster, but the trailer gives little away when it comes to the film’s villain, Gorr the God Butcher who will be played by Christian Bale.
According to the official synopsis from Marvel, Thor: Love and Thunder “finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.”
With its all-star cast and a script you know will be infused with Waititi’s trademark charm and with humour, it’s safe to say we’re counting down the days until release. Thor: Love and Thunder will hit cinemas on July 8, 2022.
