The brotherly dynamic between Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Tom Hiddleston's Loki is one of the central elements of the Thor franchise. Over the ten years since the two made their MCU debuts, the duo has established a perfect on-screen relationship that has helped turn the franchise into what it is today, even carrying it through less popular outings like Thor: The Dark World.
So when Loki met his demise at the hands of Thanos in the opening moments of Avengers: Infinity War, it's safe to say the God of Mischief's stans were far from thrilled. With Loki's MCU future continuing in a time-traveling Disney+ series, and Thor set to return in a fourth solo outing, many fans have been hoping to see the two reunite in a surprise family reunion.
However, it seems like all the rumors and speculation around a surprise return for Loki in Love and Thunder might be nothing more than just that as Tom Hiddleston has denied reports he will appear in the 2022 film.
TOM HIDDLESTON SHUTS DOWN LOKI'S THOR 4 APPEARANCE
In an interview with Digital Spy to promote the Loki Disney+ series, the God of Mischief himself Tom Hiddleston has shut down rumors that he will make an appearance in next year's Thor: Love and Thunder.
Hiddleston's comments seemed to suggest the story of Thor and Loki is complete as they have “explored about as much as [they] can about these two brothers.” However, the British star seems to be leaving the door open to reunite with Chris Hemsworth on-screen in the future, teasing that the brothers' story is over “for the moment”:
“We have explored about as much as we can about these two brothers. We talked about the Thor movies as a family saga, and the diametric opposition between Thor and Loki, and duality and antagonism, being a book that perhaps should remain closed for the moment.”
WILL THOR AND LOKI REUNITE DOWN THE MCU LINE?
Many fans have found Thor and Loki's sibling bond to be the heart and soul of the God of Thunder's solo franchise, so it's unfortunate to see Hiddleston won't be returning for the fourth installment. While Loki was initially established as a side character, his popularity among fans seems to have moved the God of Mischief to first billing as his future will be focused on his solo series.
Thor: Love and Thunder already has a lot to fit in its theatrical run time with Jane Foster's Mighty Thor to introduce, some time to spend with the Guardians of the Galaxy, and a brand-new villain to establish in Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher. With plenty of ground to cover already in the summer 2022 blockbuster, it might be the right decision to avoid including any further characters that could complicate things, especially with Loki currently dead in MCU modern day.
However, the Odinson family reunion is sure to be a shock if it ever does come to fruition, given this new God of Mischief in Disney+'s Loki will be a very different version of the character to the one Thor saw die at the hands of Thanos. Solving crimes with the TVA probably wasn't a job that the God of Thunder saw his mischievous brother taking on.
Chris Hemsworth's MCU future after his fourth Thor film remains uncertain but there doesn't seem to be any signs the Australian actor is looking to go anywhere anytime soon. Based on the currently announced Phase 4 slate, there aren't any other projects the two are likely to appear in, although a shock appearance from Thor in a potential second season of Loki would certainly be exciting to most fans.
Thor: Love and Thunder is set to hit theaters on May 6, 2022
