Thor: Love and Thunder's set images could offer clues about what to expect from the upcoming film. Director Taika Waititi returns to the MCU after the success of 2017's Thor: Ragnarok which overhauled Chris Hemsworth's superhero sub-franchise. Marvel Studios is breaking their typical three solo film formula for the God of Thunder as he continues his journey in the universe with a fourth one following the Infinity Saga.
Joining Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie) in the film is Natalie Portman, who is reprising her role as Jane Foster. This time, however, she's getting her own superhero identity as Mighty Thor. Waititi is going bigger for Thor: Love and Thunder, with reports claiming that Marvel Studios was bringing together an Avengers 5-level of ensemble. In an effort to transition seamlessly from Avengers: Endgame, several members of the Guardians of the Galaxy will appear, and so will Lady Sif (Jamie Alexander) after sitting Ragnarok out. After months of rumors, Kevin Feige eventually confirmed back in December that Christian Bale will play the blockbuster's villain — Gorr the God Butcher.
Jane Foster’s Helmet Teases Her Biggest MCU Difference From Thor
Production was delayed significantly due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Thor: Love and Thunder filming finally kicked off at the start of the year and wrapped up several months after. As with their other projects, Marvel Studios is being secretive about its story, but, fortunately, set images have not only provided early looks at the flick, they have also revealed certain plot points about the movie.
Just a few weeks since principal photography started for Thor: Love and Thunder, the first batch of set photos arrived offering the first look at Thor in his distinctly casual new look. The snaps also reveal that he is still hanging out with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Several images feature the God of Thunder having a conversation with Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), while Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Kraglin (Sean Gunn) – with the attachment for Yondu's (Michael Rooker) arrow on his head – in the vicinity, as well. These confirm that leading to the events of Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor more likely remained with the rag-tag of cosmic heroes after joining them in their adventure at the end of Avengers: Endgame.
Aerial shots of Thor: Love and Thunder's filming site on the coastline of Sydney reveal what looks like Asgard being rebuilt. The interesting part is, Thor's homeworld was destroyed at the end of Thor: Ragnarok after the heroes unleashed Surtur to stop Hela (Cate Blanchett) from becoming more powerful. It's possible that Asgardians on Earth are simply trying to mimic what their old planet looked like in New Asgard. Ever since they relocated, they've settled in a small fishing village and lived like locals. Perhaps after Thanos (Josh Brolin) was defeated, they decided to make Earth look more like Asgard. Otherwise, the set could be for a flashback sequence.
Asgard isn't the only thing that makes a surprising return in Thor: Love and Thunder after it was destroyed in Thor: Ragnarok. The God of Thunder's hammer, Mjölnir, has also been spotted on the set of the movie. Hemsworth's stunt double, Bobby Holland Hanton took it to his personal social media account and shared a video of himself doing a flying stunt holding the magical hammer. Since gaining traction, the clip has since been taken down, which has further convinced fans that the weapon will indeed be in the movie. Unless it's for another flashback, the appearance of the magical hammer shouldn't be that much of a surprise considering that Jane will eventually wield it as Mighty Thor.
A separate batch of Thor: Love and Thunder set photos features Jane Foster in her civilian clothes in New Asgard. In one scene, she appears to be examining an unknown object while Asgardian guards surround her. Meanwhile, another shot sees her levitating, although it's unclear what caused her to get off the ground. Chances are that both these shots are incomplete, with additional details set to be added in post-production. That said, these pretty much reveal that, somehow, Jane will find her way to New Asgard, which won't be as difficult like before since it is off the coast of Norway.
First appearing in the background of the Thor: Love and Thunder's set images that featured the God of Thunder with the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Avenger's goats subsequently made another appearance several weeks later. This time, they seem to be in the New Asgard set. Adapted from the comics, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder can also be summoned by Thor just like Mjölnir. They are skilled with various magical capabilities like flying which could be very helpful in case the Asgardian Prince find himself in a dire situation.
As was in Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder will also feature another hammy play recreating a real-life narrative. Matt Damon, Luke Hemsworth, and Sam Neill return to reprise their roles as fake Loki, Thor, and Odin. Meanwhile, Melissa McCarthy joins as fake Hela. For the upcoming blockbuster, the theater guys dramatize the death of the Allfather leading to the arrival of Hela and the destruction of Mjölnir at the start of Ragnarok. Unlike its previous run which was commissioned by the God of Mischief to make his fake Thor: The Dark World look more heroic and tragic than it was, this narrative may be the Asgardians' way to pay homage to their deceased leader since New Asgard is located at his place of death.
Another batch of aerial images from Thor: Love and Thunder's set photos in Australia reveals homes, a pub, and what appears to be a hotel offering tours in New Asgard. There's also a Viking ship docked near the town's edge. It's possible that the Asgardians opened up their settlement to the public as a way to earn extra money. This would explain the accommodation that provides tourist services.
The first batch of Thor: Love and Thunder set images pretty much confirmed that Fat Thor is no more moving forward. But, additional snaps which see Hemsworth's God of Thunder sporting workout head and wrist bands imply how exactly he lost the extra weight. As revealed in Avengers: Endgame, Thor just can't magically get rid of the additional pounds he put in as he wallowed in his failure to stop Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Seeing him actually work to get back to his old shape, even if it's just through a montage, sends a message that his time as Fat Thor actually mattered and just wasn't for comedic purposes.
To commemorate the end of principal photography on Thor: Love and Thunder, Waititi shared an image of him on set with Hemsworth. There are a couple of takeaways from the snap. Firstly, Korg is back based on the dots on the filmmaker's face used for motion-captioning for VFX creatures (unless he plays an entirely new character). Secondly, not only is Thor back in shape, but he's also bigger and buffer than before. This backs up Hemsworth's claim that he's been the fittest he's ever been playing the Avenger while shooting the upcoming solo MCU flick.
While principal photography for Thor: Love and Thunder wrapped up in Australia back in June, filming has restarted in the U.S. with set photos offering the first look at Bale in his Gorr the God Butcher attire. The actor wears his white/silver costume, complete with facial prosthetics which makes his dedication impressive considering that it's possible that they could've just used CGI make-up. That said, additional details are expected to be added in post-production to get a comic-accurate appearance for the villain. Bale was filming on his own in Malibu, with no other cast members spotted in the vicinity.
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August 06, 2021 at 12:03AM
