3 Possible Storylines For 'Thor 5'

A fifth Thor film is reported to be in development at Marvel Studios, extending the God of Thunder's already existing record as the Marvel hero to star in the most solo adventures. Taika Waititi, who directed the third and fourth instalments, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, is not expected to return as Director, but may still reprise his role as Thor's Kronan ally, Korg. The news of another film is not surprising, considering that Love and Thunder's post-credits sequences offer not one, but two teasers towards potential future instalments.

So, what stories could Thor 5 potentially tell?

A Battle of Gods

In Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor makes an enemy of Zeus, the Greek God of Lightning, King of the Greek Gods, and ruler of Omnipotent city, when he defeats him and steals his beloved Thunderbolt weapon. The film's mid-credits scene implies that the humiliated Zeus plans to seek revenge on Thor via his demi-god son, Hercules. This confrontation could easily form the basis of a fifth Thor film.

In Marvel comics, Hercules's first major appearance came as a guest star in the ongoing 'Mighty Thor' title, where he is established as a rival of Thor. While the two regularly do battle, they are depicted as allies equally as often, with Hercules also sometimes serving as a member of the Avengers. Many fans are expecting Thor 5 to include an enemies-to-allies story for Thor and Hercules.

One likely option is a comic story from the 60s which begins with Thor and Hercules fighting, but ends with Thor rescuing Hercules when he becomes trapped in the Underworld after accidentally becoming indebted to Pluto/Hades, the Greek God of the Underworld. If adapted to film, the above story could end with Hercules losing favour with Zeus for failing to defeat Thor, possibly prompting him to be banished from Olympus, a recurring scenario in the comics that often results in Hercules spending time with the Avengers.

The story also includes an iconic comic moment in which Hercules and The Hulk battle to a draw, thus provides an opportunity for Marvel Studios to re-pair Thor with Hulk following the duo's popular team up in Thor: Ragnarok.

Tales from Valhalla

In Norse Mythology, and all four Thor films, it is said that warriors/Gods who die in battle are granted access to the halls of Valhalla, where they are rewarded for their brave deeds in life. Jane, having proven herself a hero as Mighty Thor prior to her tearjerking death, is welcomed to Valhalla by Heimdall in Love and Thunder's final post credits sequence. The confirmation of Valhalla as a true location in the MCU opens up a few potential story possibilities.

In the comics version of the Ragnarok event, not only is Asgard destroyed, but all Asgardian characters, including Thor himself, are killed. However, per Norse mythology, the Asgardian Gods are destined to be reincarnated. Thor, the first of Asgard's heroes to return to life, is eventually tasked with locating the souls of other reincarnated Asgardians, some of which have attached themselves to human hosts. A movie adaptation of this story could possibly be combined with the Hercules story, with Thor attempting to recover the souls of his previously fallen friends while avoiding Hercules trying to kill him, and if the Pluto/Hades storyline also comes into play, feature a comparison of Greek and Norse mythology's different takes on the afterlife.

This could also provide a in-story excuse to recast any Asgardian characters who's original actors don't want to return (Or in the case of Ray Stevenson, have sadly passed away), as well as potentially pave the way for Jane Foster to return. In the comics, Jane dies only briefly, before being revived by the joint efforts of Thor, Odin, and the God Tempest Storm within Mjolnir. She gives up being Mighty Thor in order to focus on her health, but after winning her Cancer battle, Jane takes up arms as the newest Valkyrie during the 'War of the Realms' event, tasked with escorting Asgardian souls to Valhalla.

Some fans believe Jane's potential future as a Valkyrie was teased via her friendship with the existing Valkyrie in Love and Thunder, due to Val referring to Jane as a sister.

War of the Realms

Between April and July of the year 2019, Marvel Comics published the multi-title, but Thor centric, 'War of the Realms' crossover event. The trouble begins when Thor discovers that Malekith the Accursed and his followers have created a Dark copy of the Bifrost, allowing them to travel between the Ten Realms. They have already conquered many of them, with the next target being Midgard, aka Earth. Thor must gather Earth's heroes in order to thwart Malekith's plan.

While a more recent story, 'War of the Realms' certainly has the scale to be adapted for the big screen. However, some may say that the comics' version of the story, featuring characters from across the Marvel universe, could be a little too big for a solo Thor film, and might be better saved for a future Avengers outing.

Whatever the final choice, there's plenty of life left in the God of Thunder.