Most Marvel Cinematic Universe fans agree that the Thor franchise needs an overhaul, following the mixed response to Love and Thunder, and the variants of the hero collected here suggest some directions the MCU could go in. From iconic Thor tales, to unexpected transformations, these incarnations of the God of Thunder offer a wide range of possibilities.
Some big questions surround Thor’s MCU future. Will Chris Hemsworth return, or will the role be recast? Should the Thor movies continue their more lighthearted trend, or recalibrate to a more serious tone?
This list tries to engage with all the options, while drawing on classic and deep-cut Thor lore to project where the hero is going in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Venomized Thor
A Shocking Twist On Two Marvel Icons’ MCU Roles
Venom joining the MCU is one of the most exciting prospects of the next era of Marvel movies. While filmmakers could go the traditional route, and give the symbiote to a new version of Eddie Brock, or have it bond with Peter Parker, they could alternatively serve up a great twist by pairing Venom with an unexpected existing MCU hero.
Cue Thor’s music. The God of Thunder briefly hosted the Venom symbiote in a memorable Marvel Comics moment, but the MCU could put a definitive stamp on this amalgamated character concept. At the same time, it would give Thor actor Chris Hemsworth the opportunity to play a second legendary Marvel character, just like his colleague Robert Downey Jr.
Iron Hammer
Combining The Best Of Both Thor And Tony Stark
Iron Hammer is another example of a Marvel hero mash-up that would make a thrilling addition to the MCU. The upcoming Avengers films are designed with the opportunity to feature surprising Multiversal variants of classic heroes to appear, and “Stark Odinson” would be a unique way to quasi-resurrect Iron Man without RDJ needing to play the role.
Stark Odinson hails from a world where Asgard and Stark Industries have been combined into a hybrid corporation-pantheon, highlighting the parallels in the heroes’ origins in a novel way. As Iron Hammer, Chris Hemsworth could do a tongue-in-cheek Tony Stark impression, while playing up the more hubristic side of both characters.
Thunderstrike
A Perfect Option For An Eventual Thor Reboot
Thunderstrike started out as an alternate version of Thor from the 1980s, before becoming a distinct hero in his own right, one who proved to be highly popular for a brief period. The Marvel Cinematic Universe could go with either of these takes on the character and still deliver a refreshing MCU reboot of the God of Thunder.
Thunderstike would be a fitting iteration of the character for the MCU’s future relaunch, especially if Chris Hemsworth retires from the role and Marvel is forced to recast. In many ways, Thunderstrike’s design and character concept are close to the classic version of Thor, but perhaps a bit more sleek and refined.
Thor 2099
A Solid Option For Introducing MCU Fans To Marvel 2099
Marvel 2099 launched over thirty years ago, starting with Spider-Man 2099, as a way of exploring alternate future versions of classic Marvel superheroes and villains. The 2099 imprint has always been well-regarded by fans, but Spider-Man 2099’s starring role in the Spider-Verse films, and the inclusion of 2099 lore in Marvel Rivals has brought it newfound mainstream recognition.
As such, it feels like a matter of when, not if, Marvel 2099 is made a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor’s 2099 counterpart is a member of the “Church of Thor,” who worship the long-disappeared Asgardian hero. This is one of Marvel’s best bets for a radical reinterpretation of the MCU’s Thor.
In fact, Thor might be the best character for introducing the 2099 setting to the Marvel Universe, rather than Spider-Man or other more fleshed-out 2099 heroes.. A solo Thor 2099 film would circumvent audiences’ exhaustion with origin stories, offering up a unique and unfamiliar landscape with a strong and mysterious updated incarnation of the deity.
Thrr
The Canine Counterpart To The God Of Thunder
James Gunn’s Superman film made Krypto the Superdog a household name, so it stands to reason Marvel would want to chase its rival’s success. The House of Ideas has its share of potential animal mascots, notably Spider-Ham, a pig version of Spider-Man. A more deep-cut ally of Ham’s is Thrr, a canine version of the God of Thunder, hailing from “Arfgard.”
The impact Thrr could have in just a brief live-action cameo is hard to quantify, but it would almost certainly be a big hit. It’s also important to remember there is an animated dimension to the MCU, and Thrr would be perfect to lead an all-animal animated incarnation of the MCU’s Avengers.
Rogue Thor
An Unexpected Way For An X-Men Icon To Enter The MCU
Rogue is one of the X-Men fans are most excited to see join the MCU. And there is a specific version of Rogue audiences are craving a live-action version of: superpowered Rogue. While Anna Paquin’s turn as Rogue in the original X-Men films was laudable, it emphasized the tragedy of her powers. In the comics, however, Rogue is one of the X-franchise’s strongest fighters.
That is because she absorbed Carol Danvers’ powers, in a defining moment for both characters. However, one memorable Marvel “What If?” comic wondered what it would be like if she took Thor’s powers instead. If the MCU wants to serve up an incredible swerve, it could take this as inspiration for Rogue’s MCU arc.
Ragnarok
The Cyborg/Clone Substitute For The God Of Thunder
Ragnarok is a cyborg/clone of Thor, who played a pivotal role in Marvel’s Civil War in the comics. The MCU might have adapted Civil War without including this unhinged duplicate of Thor, but the character could be easily inserted into a future MCU storyline. It would allow for a “heel turn” for the character, without actually impacting his status as a hero.
If Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, Ragnarok would be one great way for him to play a radically different version of the character, eschewing the comedic tenor of his performance that fans have come to expect, without it being completely whiplash-inducing. It’s possible, in fact, that the MCU’s Thor has gotten to the point where no enemy would be more significant than himself.
King Thor
A Way To Bring The Gravitas Back To Chris Hemsworth’s Thor
King Thor is another opportunity for Chris Hemsworth, or a future successor, to bring the cinematic God of Thunder back to a more serious place. King Thor is a future version of the hero who has fallen from grace, having conquered the Earth and grown into a grizzled old tyrant whose visual design evokes his father, Odin.
Once again, King Thor could prove to be the ultimate foil for the MCU’s Thor. This dark future version of the hero wasn’t beyond redemption, and, in fact, the poignant conclusion to the King Thor arc in Marvel lore makes it a fitting candidate for adaption eventually, one that could wrap up the franchise’s first MCU era in a bow.
