GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 13: Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi arrive for the Thor: Ragnarok Australian Premiere at Event Cinemas Robina on October 13, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Disney)
What comic book stories could be used in Thor 4?
Good news, Marvel Comics fans. It’s official! We’ll be getting at least one more Thor movie. Yes, it’s true – as Hollywood Reporter announced, Thor: Ragnarok writer Taika Waititi will write and direct Thor 4.
Thor: Ragnarok is looked at as the best solo Thor project so far. It wasn’t dark, overly dramatic, and gave the character a different personality from we’ve seen so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was more jovial and possibly even a better fighter.
With everything that’s happened to him in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, what could be next for the God Of Thunder?
Thor made his first appearance in Journey into Mystery No. 83 in 1962. Over his 50-year stint in Marvel Comics, we’ve seen him have some incredible stories. He’s ended the cycle of Ragnarok, fought his brother, father, and even a robot clone of himself. He’s faced defeat multiple times and yet he continues to come out on top. Recently, he was unable to wield his hammer Mjölnir, but regained his worthiness in The War of the Realms.
There are dozens of classic stories that could be used in the God of Thunder’s next movie. Here are the ones that would make sense with everything we’ve scene in the MCU.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
The God Butcher
To many, the gods are the greatest beings in the galaxy. They provide wisdom, strength, and all blessings. Thor is the most popular of all the gods in the Marvel Universe. He’s been the savior of Earth and other realms since he was strong enough to use a weapon. However, while many beings love the gods, Gorr abhors them.
In the comics, he blamed them for the death of his family and set out to destroy them all – and almost succeeded. Gorr captured multiple gods and forced them to create a bomb that would kill every deity throughout time. Luckily, there were three Gods of Thunder there to defeat him.
The God Butcher story would be an incredible way to get into Thor’s life. Not only do you get Thor as we know him now, but there’s also young brash Thor – who used his axe Jarnbjorn to defeat his enemies. He was a hero to the Vikings – and All Father Thor: one of the last remaining beings towards the death of the universe.
This story would give the audience a chance to see how the Odinson’s story begins and ends. Even if he dies in a movie, people could take comfort knowing that he somehow comes back to be the last god in the universe.
This story also leads into another possible choice for a future Thor project.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
Jane Foster Thor
Thor used Mjölnir to defeat his enemies for centuries, as he was one of the few beings worthy enough to even lift the hammer. In the Marvel Comics event Original Sin, Nick Fury whispered “Gorr was right” and Thor became unworthy to lift Mjölnir.
Gorr told Thor that the mortals who worshipped the gods would be better without them and, once a mortal relayed that to Thor, he agreed; he had lost faith in himself. His hammer crashed on the moon and not even Odin could move it. There was, however, one person worthy. Jane Foster became the new Thor and she was incredible.
Some people are going to look at this and say that this is another social justice warrior post. Why make Thor a woman? Say what you will, but Jane Foster was amazing and was certainly much better than many thought she would be. In fact, Thor himself even admitted there were things she did with the hammer that he couldn’t do – that’s high praise coming from someone who used Mjölnir as long as he did.
Now, while Jane Foster became Thor in the comics, I have someone else in mind for the film… and it’s not Natalie Portman.
Valkyrie is the ruler of New Asgard on Earth. She’s shown that she has all the fighting and leadership skills to usher in a new age for Asgard and be its protector. Tessa Thompson’s character is also one of the most popular in the MCU. Since Taika Waititi introduced her in Thor: Ragnarok, it would only make sense that he’d find a way to continue her story.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
Beta Ray Bill
Like most superhero clashes, Beta Ray Bill and Thor met and fought due to nothing more than a misunderstanding. But out of nowhere, Bill grabbed Thor’s face and tossed him with ease – there aren’t many people in the universe that can do that.
The two battled and were evenly matched. However, before Thor could deliver the final blow, he turned into his mortal form and Bill capitalized on this moment to win the fight. He picked up Blake’s stick (which is really Mjölnir ) and transformed into the God of Thunder.
Later, Odin put the two against each other for the honor of using Mjölnir for good – battle that Bill won. But he didn’t leave with Mjölnir. Instead, he was gifted with a hammer of his own. Thus, Stormbreaker was born and the two eventually became brothers.
With Thor going into space with the Guardians of the Galaxy, it would be easy to see him getting into a fight with Beta Ray Bill. Especially since he’s going to need a new fighting buddy and Hulk’s not being a rage monster anymore.
In Thor: Ragnarok, we saw Bill’s face on the side of the arena where the Odinson and Hulk fought – so we know that he exists in the MCU. Moreover, Bill was a champion, so we know he’s not a pushover. He did have Stormbreaker in the comics, so there’s always a chance he could get it in the movie as well.
Knowing Marvel Studios, they may even end up killing Beta Ray Bill.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
Fear Itself
In the Marvel Comics event Fear Itself, Odin’s brother Cul (the Serpent) was released from his prison. Cul planned on storming Asgard with his army in a bid to kill his brother, while also destroying Earth in the process.
Of course, it goes without saying that Thor was ready to protect Earth and Asgard at all costs. Unfortunately, there was a prophecy that stated: “Nine paces fares the Son of Odin, and, slain by the serpent, fearless he sinks.”
Odin was trying to protect his son from dying in a fight with Cul who could turn into a giant Serpent. The Odinson refused to sit back and let Earth fight this battle on their own. Like the prophecy said, Thor killed Cul, took nine steps, and died. In Odin’s arms no less.
Fear Itself wasn’t a series that was well received by the masses. No matter how true this is, there were good parts that could be worked into a movie.
In many ways, Cul would be a great villain for Thor to battle. He could try and persuade him that they don’t have to fight since this prophecy leads to Cul’s death as well. Or, with Odin dead, Cul could aim to attack Asgard since he could be looked at as the rightful ruler of the realm.
All in all, this is how the God of Thunder could die – giving him a huge sendoff that concludes with an epic fight scene.