While it's true that Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth chapter of Thor Odinson's journey within the MCU, there's no denying that the film features a massive, all-star supporting cast. In addition to Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Taika Waititi's Korg, and Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, Thor 4 is also introducing a brand-new villain: Gorr the God Butcher, played by Christian Bale.
In fact, according to Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi, Gorr has the potential to be one of the franchise's greatest baddies. Not only has he been described as one of the most "sympathetic villains they've had," but he's "tested the highest" of any Marvel villain to date.
Clearly, Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder will have his hands full come July 8; but in the meantime, fans will have to settle for a new promo featuring Gorr and Thor 4's already crowded call sheet.
New Love and Thunder Trailer Features Christian Bale's Gorr
A new trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder offered Marvel fans an impressive amount of new footage of the upcoming film's expansive cast, including new shots of Christian Bale's terrifyingly creepy Gorr the God Butcher.
The trailer kicks off with new shots of Thor at New Asgard, intercut with footage fans have already seen in past spots, as well as some old dialogue from Korg with a new spin. While he still says, "Get the popcorn out," just as he did in the film's second trailer, he now follows it up with "He's gonna do a speech" and at New Asgard as opposed to campfire surrounded by kids.
The new promo then reveals a quick look at a new location which appears to be Omnipotence City. In the comics, this location was a nexus of all gods and served as a meeting place.
The trailer then shows Thor giving that aforementioned speech to New Asgard while Miek - in a dress - takes notes on a dry-erase board.
Next, the footage highlights a few shots of the Guardians of the Galaxy in action, particularly Drax with Kraglin and Nebula in the background.
The next shot is particularly interesting. It appears to show Thor in that same stone hallway where Jane Foster's Mighty Thor has been seen summoning lightning, and that happens to include a stone statue of the Watcher from What If...?
Then, the trailer treats fans to a money shot of Thor - still with his Avengers: Endgame dad bod - flanked by the Guardians of the Galaxy as the background explodes with flame.
After a few quick clips of Gorr and Thor's battle with the God Butcher, the new footage shows Bale's villain eerily and giddily responding to something or someone by saying, "How exciting."
The full trailer can be seen below:
Will Gorr Top the MCU Villain Rankings?
During Doctor Strange 2's promotional campaign, the film's final trailers and TV spots arguably revealed a little too much ahead of Thor 4's theatrical debut. Now, even though this new trailer for Love and Thunder offered quite a bit of new footage, there were no spoilers. In fact, the quick shot of Omnipotence City is this trailer's only new reveal.
All of the other clips and shots are just more of what has already been shown or new looks at confirmed characters in action or in new locations. But even so, this trailer did offer a hint of what to expect from Gorr the God Butcher.
In past trailers and promos, fans have heard Gorr speak briefly, and he sounded as serious and intimidating as he looks. However, the clip of him saying "How exciting" was different than what had been shown before.
Again, in this trailer, his voice is different. He's giddy and even a bit childish in his tone, and it's unnerving.
If this was included as a way to prove Marvel Studios' confidence in Christian Bale's performance, it worked; and come July 8, it looks like Gorr the God Butcher is coming for that top spot of the MCU's best baddies.
Thor: Love and Thunder is set to hit theaters on July 8.
