Why Thor Still Uses Mjolnir In Love & Thunder

Chris Hemsworth Thor is seemingly getting Mjolnir back in Thor: Love and Thunder, but why is the God of Thunder using his old weapon again? Mjolnir and Thor were inseparable throughout the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The mighty hammer was his weapon of choice throughout the first two phases and then he was forced to move on when Hela destroyed it in Thor: Ragnarok. Even though he momentarily used it again in Avengers: Endgame, it appeared that Thor's days with Mjolnir were over.

It has long been expected that Mjolnir would return in Thor: Love and Thunder though. The announcement that Jane Foster will become Mighty Thor signified the need for Mjolnir, and Natalie Portman has even confirmed she'll wield the hammer. However, there is now evidence that Thor Odinson will use Mjolnir some more too. A video of Chris Hemsworth's stunt double showed him practicing some action scenes with Mjolnir in hand. While there's a chance this was just him having fun, the more likely explanation is he's practicing for a Thor: Love and Thunder set piece. This indicates Thor will use Mjolnir again in the new movie, but why?

Thor's MCU story has become a bit messy in regards to his need and choice of a weapon. Thor: Ragnarok made it so he doesn't need Mjolnir or another weapon, but Avengers: Infinity War gave him Stormbreaker anyway. Avengers: Endgame even seemed to imply that Thor is more fond of Stormbreaker at this point when he demanded a weapons switch with Captain America to get the giant ax back. That makes him using Mjolnir again in Thor: Love and Thunder a bit more confusing. However, it could be explained that Thor knows Mjolnir is really his weapon of choice, so going back to the hammer is part of him accepting who he is and his true place in the galaxy.

Avengers Endgame Thor Stormbreaker Mjolnir

Thor using Mjolnir again could also be tied to how Thor: Love and Thunder will pass the hammer off to Jane Foster's Mighty Thor. If he regains access to the hammer by some means, it will prove that he is still worthy to hold Mjolnir. The comics saw Jane pick up the hammer when Thor was no longer worthy enough to do so. It doesn't appear Thor: Love and Thunder will tell a similar story, especially since it could feel like territory covered in the past for Thor. Instead of keeping Mjolnir for himself, Thor could accept that he isn't the one who should hold that power anymore and willingly pass the mantle to Jane Foster. This can allow the passing of the hammer to be a moment of growth for Thor instead of potentially causing conflict between the former lovers.

There's also a chance Thor won't use Mjolnir in the main storyline for Thor: Love and Thunder. Although this is not confirmed to be part of Taika Waititi's story, it is possible the film could show the past and future of Thor's life. Gorr the God Butcher is officially the villain of Thor 4, but Gorr and Thor have fought throughout history in the comics. This included Gorr fighting Thor thousands of years in the past. We can't count out the chance that Thor: Love and Thunder will take a look at Thor's past through flashbacks, which would make him using Mjolnir completely natural and expected.

Mjolnir's role in Thor: Love and Thunder remains a big question about the movie, and it certainly will be fascinating to see what explanation is given. Waititi has several options to bring the hammer back and make it work naturally in the story being told. All we know now is that it appears Thor will be use Mjolnir again in some fashion, so it is up to the movie to explain why that is.

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