While the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaps the rewards of its first release in Phase 4 , Marvel Studios remains hard at work developing nearly two dozen projects to arrive in the next couple of years. While a small group is ready for release, others are deep into the filming process or are in the final stages of preparation to begin production.
One of the movies in that last group is Chris Hemsworth's Thor: Love and Thunder , which is shaping up to be one of the most expansive cosmic adventures of Phase 4. The God of Thunder will have an all-star team of MCU regulars surrounding him , as he prepares to take on one of his most terrifying foes to date in Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher .
Recent reports revealed that Matt Damon would join the fray as well, although it's still unclear if he will play the same role he did in Thor: Ragnarok . Recent news is indicating that one of Damon's castmates from "The Tragedy of Loki of Asgard" may come along with him.
SAM NEILL OPTIMISTIC FOR AN MCU RETURN
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight , actor Sam Neill seems to believe there's a good chance he will return to the MCU alongside Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder . While nothing is confirmed, Neill thinks "the odds are reasonably high" that he will come back in some capacity:
"I think the odds are reasonably high. I think Taika's got something up his sleeve. We will see what happens. Travel between [New Zealand] and Australia is problematic at the moment, but we will see if something can be worked out."
TO NEILL? OR NOT TO NEILL?
After Matt Damon was confirmed to join the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder , questions came regarding if he would play an actor once again or if he will play a new character with more screen time. The same theory could be applied to Sam Neill as well, who would be yet another name included in a laundry list of MCU mainstays.
Sam Neill is most famous for his work in the Jurassic Park series, making two appearances in the original trilogy with a third on the way in next year's Jurassic World: Dominion . He also has a close personal connection to director Taika Waititi due to their shared homeland of New Zealand.
Neill only had about a minute of screen time , in the fake play created by Loki, as Odin in Thor: Ragnarok which also starred Chris Hemsworth's real-life brother Luke playing fake Thor. It will likely be some time before Neill is confirmed as a part of the sequel, especially in terms of his role, but he would be an excellent addition to one of the highest-profile casts of Phase 4.
Thor: Love and Thunder has begun filming and is set for release in theaters on May 6, 2022.
