In August of 2016, three years after Thor: Dark World came out and one year before Thor: Ragnarok hit theaters, Natalie Portman told Vanity fair she was ‘done with Thor.” Fast forward three years. At 2019’s Comic Con San Diego, Marvel annouced the fourth Thor movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. The big surprise came Natalie Portman appeared on stage. She revealed that she will reprise her role as Jane Foster for the film. Likewise, Marvel announced her secret identity of Lady Thor for the film.
So, the big question is… what brought her back?
Speaking to CNN, Marvel president Kevin Feige claimed that it’s all thanks to the Lady-Thor’s run in Marvel Comics. Writer Jason Aaron and Artist Russell Dauterman took The Mighty Thor from male to female in 2014. At first the wieldier of Mjolnir was a unknown woman, only later revealed to be a cancer ridden Jane Foster. The comic was a hit. With an amazing combination of great storytelling and fantastic art, the story became an instant classic. So much so that it only took one meeting between Natalie Portman and Taika Waititi to bring the actress back into the MCU fold.
Natalie Portman returns to the MCU
How director Taika Waititi will spin the years long arc of Jane foster as Thor arc into a two hour movie will remains to be seen. Notwithstanding, fans are really hoping to see one of the bigger aspects of Lady Thor from the comics. (Lady)Thor, Jane was a powerful being that wielded a semi-self aware Mjolnir hammer. But as normal Jane Foster, she was quickly dying of cancer, eventually succumbing to the disease.
On a personal note, I hope to see one of my favorite moments from the comics in the film. In the MCU, Odin/Anthony Hopkins whispers into the hammer “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall posses the power of Thor.” In the comics, this is also inscribed on the hammer itself. In the story, as Jane first weilds the hammer these words magically change to “Whosoever holds this hammer, if She be worthy, shall posses the power of Thor.” And finally, ending on “Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall posses the power of Thor.” Well, it seems Natalie Portman is worthy.
Whatever the story, Natalie Portman obviously thinks it worthy of her and her considerable talents.
