Of all the original Avengers, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has arguably suffered the most revisions and indignities.
Now, with Avengers: Endgame returning to theaters and Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, the Russo brothers are assuring fans that Thor will return to his more heroic roots.
Thor in Avengers: Doomsday – Marvel Entertainment, YouTube
READ: Disney World Disregards Toy Story Land’s Narrative to Incorporate Toy Story 5 Elements in Update
Speaking with CBR, Joe Russo praised Hemsworth’s ability to navigate the different tastes and tones of various directors. Although he did not mention Taika Waititi by name, the filmmaker arguably changed Thor the most, turning the son of Asgard into a buffoon across two standalone films.
“We have a specific point of view on that character. That’s what we’re going to carry forward,” Russo said.
That approach aligns with what fans have already seen in the trailers for Doomsday. It may also encourage moviegoers who disliked Thor’s recent direction to give the character another chance.
Thor’s Transformation From Warrior to Punchline
When director Kenneth Branagh introduced Thor to the MCU in 2011, Hemsworth played the Asgardian warrior as a hero whose primary flaw was pride. His arrival on Earth introduced some fish-out-of-water comedy, but the character still received a meaningful arc that preserved his dignity.
Although he lacked Tony Stark’s intellect, Thor retained his defining qualities of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and confidence throughout The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Thor in Avengers: Endgame – Disney, Marvel Studios
READ: Bob Iger Appears to Respond to Bob Chapek Allegations From Explosive Disney Memoir
However, Waititi leaned heavily on Hemsworth’s comedic abilities in Thor: Ragnarok before doubling down on that approach in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Between those films, the Russos followed the trajectory Waititi had established. Avengers: Endgame made Thor overweight and drew inspiration from Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude, in The Big Lebowski.
By the time Thor returned in Love and Thunder, he was nearly unrecognizable from the warrior introduced in 2011.
Hemsworth Admitted Love and Thunder Became Too Silly
Waititi’s second Thor film performed well at the box office, earning more than $760 million worldwide. However, many fans were deeply dissatisfied with its treatment of the title character.
The Geeks + Gamers review noted, “When it comes to Thor, he’s the butt of every single joke throughout the movie. His inclusion is horrific; he doesn’t represent a hero, or the character fans have come to know and love in any way, shape, or form.”
Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder – Disney, Marvel Studios
READ: George Lucas Claims He Had Three More Star Wars To Make Before Retiring
The film currently holds a 24% “Bogus” score on the user-driven review site Criticless.
Even Hemsworth has admitted that the film could have handled Thor differently.
“I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself,” he told Vanity Fair in a 2024 interview. “I didn’t stick the landing.”
He had previously told GQ, “I think we just had too much fun. It just became too silly.”
The Russos Promise the Return of Thor the Warrior
Speaking to CBR, the Russos promised a more serious interpretation of the character.
Chris Hemsworth in Thor – Disney, Marvel Studios
READ: Sunny Hostin Claim of Being Holdout Juror From Infamous Murder Trial Disputed by Multiple Sources
“We love that sort of warrior version of him, that warrior who has lost everything, who is seeking meaning through battle. Will he ever find it or not?” Joe Russo said. “That is the journey he will go on against the greatest foe he’s ever met. As you can see from the trailers, it’s going to be a hell of a fight.”
For fans tired of seeing Thor reduced to a punchline, that promise should come as welcome news. Doomsday now has an opportunity to restore the dignity, strength, and sense of purpose that once defined the MCU’s God of Thunder.
How do you feel about a return to a more serious version of Thor? Sound off and let us know!
UP NEXT: Ed Sheeran Reportedly Loses Half a Million Social Media Followers After Macklemore Controversy
