As fans await the upcoming phase of the MCU set to kickstart with Captain America: Brave New World, a range of other projects have also been forming in the background. A huge shakeup due to the Jonathan Majors controversy aside, familiar heroes such as Spider-Man and Thor will be returning with their standalone movies. While not much is known about the direction Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 will take, a range of updates about the upcoming Thor 5 have been revealed.
According to journalist Alex Perez, Thor 5 will see the introduction of multiple god-level characters, including Ares and Hercules. The Cosmic Circus’ Alex Perez recently sat for a Q&A session which revealed a variety of details about the direction of the next standalone Chris Hemsworth movie. The journalist claimed the following about the movie, which currently does not have a release date: “All I currently know about Thor 5 was that it involved Valhalla, the Thor Corps, Hercules and Ares.” Needless to say, this presents a range of possibilities.
Jane Foster’s journey in the MCU has been nothing short of tragic and heroic. She was introduced as an astrophysicist who discovered Thor after he was banished to Earth. After surviving the Snap caused by Thanos, she was later diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Through a deep connection with Mjölnir, she transformed into the Mighty Thor and fought alongside Thor against Gorr the God Butcher. However, her mortal body succumbed to the illness, and her spirit was welcomed into Valhalla by Heimdall.
With Thor 5 reportedly incorporating Valhalla into its storyline, there is ample opportunity for Jane Foster’s return. Whether as a spirit, a resurrected warrior, or even an adviser to Thor, her reappearance can be expected to be a given, considering Valhalla’s involvement in the plot. This raises the question of how Natalie Portman’s character will be reintegrated into the evolving narrative and what role she might play moving forward.
Debuting in Marvel Comics in 1966, Ares has long been a formidable force, often positioned as an enemy to both Thor and Hercules. As the Greek God of War, Ares is a much more terrifying adversary than even Thor: Ragnarok’s Hela. Known for creating the Warhawks and instigating conflict on Earth, Ares thrives in chaos and destruction. However, in later comic arcs, he transitioned into an antihero, even aligning with the Mighty Avengers and the Dark Avengers.
If Ares enters the MCU in Thor 5, he could serve as both a major antagonist and a future ally, much like Loki. On the other hand, Hercules as a character has already been teased by the MCU in Thor: Love and Thunder. Played by Brett Goldstein, the son of Zeus, Hercules seeks vengeance against Thor for injuring his father. In Marvel Comics, Hercules initially appeared as an opponent to Thor but later evolved into an Avenger, even filling in for the Hulk during major battles.
Their dynamic, rooted in friendly competition, frequently escalates into full-scale battles, which makes it exciting to consider what kind of relationship the two characters will produce in the overall MCU. All MCU projects thus far are available to stream on Disney+. The anticipation surrounding these developments is palpable, as fans hope for a spectacular blend of action, mythology, and the potential return of Natalie Portman, which could further ignite excitement around Thor 5.
