Thor has returned for a fourth solo outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in a new film called Thor: Love and Thunder.
Having been one of the most anticipated non-Avengers movies ever, it’s now out in cinemas for you to watch.
For those who haven’t managed to see it yet, Pocket-lint thought now would be a good time to break down everything we know about Love and Thunder, with detail on how to catch up in advance of seeing it yourself. We’ll also discuss when and where it’ll be available to stream after its theatrical run ends.
We’ve even got the latest trailers for you.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): Release date
Thor: Love and Thunder came out on 8 July 2022, so you can watch it at your local theatre now. It was originally scheduled to hit theatres long ago, but it was delayed multiple times due to the pandemic.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): Where to stream
Marvel has not yet announced a streaming release date for the US and the UK, but one can assume it’ll release on Disney+ after the 45-day cinema window.
As we’ve seen with other Marvel films – Spider-Man being the exception – there’s not long to wait before those cinema releases make their way to Disney+.
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Most other MCU movies are also on Disney+.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): Trailers
The first full trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder is embedded at the top of this guide. A couple of shorter teasers are also available to watch, below.
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder | Official Teaser
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder | Tickets on Sale Monday
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder | Classic
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder | Journey
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder | Army
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): What to expect
TL;DR
A common theme with Marvel’s comic adaptions for the MCU is the storylines usually differ in small but incredibly meaningful ways. Love and Thunder is apparently inspired or loosely based upon a run of Thor comics, written by Jason Aaron, which sees Jane Foster take on the mantle of Mighty Thor when the original Thor loses the ability to lift his hammer. The comic also sees Foster fight cancer.
So, expect to see a female Thor in Love and Thunder. There are other things to know about the film, however, like Valkyrie’s possible search for a Queen to help her rule Asgard and a tie-in with the Guardians of the Galaxy. In fact, in the movie’s first trailer, Peter Quill suggests Thor can figure out his existential crisis by spending time with and “looking into the eyes of” the people he loves. This causes Thor to head back to New Asgard on Earth and then on a quest with Korg that will likely lead him to confront Gorr the God-Butcher. Confused? No worries. We’ve summarised all these plot points and rumours below.
Thor returns as the Norse God
Endgame represented the end of a decade-long journey for the Avengers; it was also slated to be Hemsworth’s final film, according to reports about his film contract. This had us wondering if he would ever play the character again. However, a fourth Thor film was announced as part of Marvel’s “Phase Four” plans, with a confirmation that Hemsworth will return as the Norse God.
Hemsworth has even posted shots of himself playing Thor while on the set.
Valkyrie looks for a Queen to rule
Along with Hemsworth’s Thor, Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie will return, with one potential plot centering on her search for a Queen to help rule Asgard.
New pic of Tessa Thompson bts of Thor: Love and Thunder pic.twitter.com/WABXtp2knL
— ɱarvel archives+ (@marvelarchives_) January 3, 2022
Thompson also let slip that a draft of Love and Thunder even included space sharks.
Jane will wield the Mjolnir
There’s another major star from the previous Thor films returning – Natalie Portman – but she’s going from Thor’s love interest to the God of Thunder herself. We’d forgive you if you thought you were done seeing her in Marvel films. Portman played Jane Foster in the first two Thor films but stopped appearing in them after 2013’s The Dark World. Thor even mentioned the two breaking up in Avengers: Endgame.
#Thor director Taika Waititi explains how he got Natalie Portman to return to the MCU #D23 #ThorLoveAndThunder https://t.co/x7MfH5gbUM pic.twitter.com/Sl8GZWeTS0
— Variety (@Variety) August 24, 2019
When Marvel announced Love and Thunder at Comicon in 2019, the film’s director, Taiki Waititi, revealed that Portman’s character is coming back and wielding Mjolnir as the female version of Thor.
Christian Bale as the villain
Daily Mail revealed Christian Bale will play the villain known as Gorr the God Butcher. The actor was spotted on set for additional photography in Malibu, California, decked out in an all-white cloak with his face coated in white paint for shooting. Bale’s character is an alien who hails from a planet afflicted by environmental calamities and whose prayers to the gods go unanswered.
The first look at Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder!
Filming has resumed in Malibu
(via Daily Mail) pic.twitter.com/2RHo4zG1VJ
— Thor: Love and Thunder News (@lovethundernews) August 4, 2021
Taika at the wheel, and voicing Korg
Oh, there’s one other confirmed character worth knowing: Korg. Taika Waititi will return to voice Thor’s friend. He will write and direct the film, too.
Remember – he directed Ragnarok, which many believe to be one of the best and most humourous Thor films.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The first Thor: Love and Thunder trailer suggests the Guardians of the Galaxy will play a major role in the film’s first act, helping Thor as he tries to figure out his new role in the galaxy.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): Cast and crew
We discussed this in detail via the section above, but here’s a summary of the main cast members confirmed so far for Love and Thunder:
Chris Hemsworth – Returning to play ThorNatalie Portman – Returning as Jane FosterTessa Thompson – Returning as ValkyrieChristian Bale – Gorr the God ButcherTaika Waititi – Returning as Korg and to write and directRussel Crowe – Zeus Chris Pratt – Star-Lord/Peter QuillVin Diesel – The voice of GrootDave Bautista – Drax the DestroyerKaren Gillan – NebulaPom Klementieff – Mantis
The following cast members will also reportedly appear in the film:
Jaimie Alexander – SifSean Gunn – Kraglin ObfonteriJeff Goldblum – GrandmasterMatt Damon – Asgardian Actor LokiSam Neill – Asgardian Actor OdinLuke Hemsworth – Asgardian Actor ThorMelissa McCarthy – Asgardian Actor HelaBen Falcone – TBCJenny Morris – TBCSimon Russell Beale – TBC
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): How to catch up
To be prepared for Love and Thunder, at a minimum, you should watch the previous Thor installments. That means you need to watch:
Thor (2011)Thor: The Dark World (2013)Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
Watch those movies, and you’ll have a solid understanding of what’s happening in the new movie. You probably want to throw in Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes 1 and 2 as well, to get a better understanding of the characters. But because Thor has weaved his way through all of the Avengers films – as do The Guardians – perhaps consider watching all the movies and shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It’s a lot, we know. But Pocket-lint happens to have a neat watch guide here that details how to watch everything chronologically.
Watch Thor on Disney+Watch Thor: The Dark World on Disney+Watch Thor: Ragnarok on Disney+
Want to know more?
Check out our guide on upcoming Marvel films, Marvel post-credit scenes, plus how to watch every Marvel movie in chronological order.
What is the best streaming device for your TV? Our top recommendation is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Also excellent are the Google Chromecast with Google TV, the Roku Express 4K, the Apple TV 4K and the Amazon Fire TV Stick.