Chris Hemsworth's Thor will break new ground for the MCU this year as he becomes the first hero to lead a fourth solo outing. But the Australian star won't be alone this time around as his original Marvel love interest Jane Foster - played by Natalie Portman - returns to wield Mjolnir and take up the mantle of Thor; they're set to go up against Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher.
The duo will have Ragnarok fan-favorites Korg and Miek at their side with Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie also coming back as the ruler of New Asgard. Thor was last seen in the final moments of Avengers: Endgame jetting off into space with the Guardians of the Galaxy, who will be tagging along for Love and Thunder in some capacity.
With Portman set to reprise her Marvel role for the first time in eight years, many are wondering if her new version of Thor will be a one-and-done or if she may be in for the long run. Recent reports suggest that it may be the latter with Jane Foster possibly in for her own solo outing down the road.
Natalie Portman's Thor Rumored for Solo Outing
Popular insider @MyTimeToShineHello recently revealed on Twitter that Jane Foster's Thor could be in line to lead her own solo outing in the MCU.
Geeks Worldwide's KC Walsh supported the claim but says it is "more than 'could' and closer to 'will,'" suggesting definitive plans are in place for Natalie Portman's Goddess of Thunder to lead a Marvel project.
Is Jane Foster the Future of Thor?
Jane Foster leading her own solo outing certainly spells trouble for Chris Hemsworth's hero in the MCU as Marvel probably wouldn't want two Thor franchises running in tandem. After over a decade in his Asgardian role - including four solo flicks and four Avengers blockbusters - the Australian star may be ready to depart the MCU for good.
There are still six months to go until Love and Thunder hits theaters and Disney has yet to release a trailer, meaning it remains hard to tell how closely Taika Waititi will be sticking to the comic source material for Jane Foster's Thor arc.
If Love and Thunder were to stick to the original source material, that would also mean Foster would be suffering from cancer in the movie, which was what originally led her to wield Mjolnir to save her life.
Within Marvel Comics, after Foster took up the mantle of Thor, she also joined the Avengers and sparked up a romantic relationship with Sam Wilson's Captain America. Meanwhile, the original Thor became Odinson and continued his journey without his iconic hammer Mjolnir.
Perhaps moving forward, Hemsworth will similarly continue on in the MCU while stepping back from his leading man status, meanwhile, Portman could continue Thor's legacy in a fifth installment or Disney+ series.
Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 8, 2022.
