Thor 4: MCU Characters Who Can Appear In The Avengers-Style Cast

Marvel Studios is reportedly assembling an Avengers-style cast for Thor: Love and Thunder, so here are some Marvel Cinematic Universe characters who could appear. Chris Hemsworth's tenure as the god of thunder was thought to be winding down, but the response to Thor: Ragnarok helped push him in a new direction. Writer-director Taika Waititi is back to make the fourth solo Thor film and it's shaping up to be even bigger than previous entries.

Thor 4 will see Hemsworth return as Thor Odinson for his eighth MCU appearance and continue his storyline past Avengers: Endgame. Full story details for the upcoming movie have yet to be revealed, but Marvel has already begun filling out the cast list. They confirmed Tessa Thompson's return as Valkyrie back at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, which is also where Natalie Portman was confirmed to be back as Jane Foster to transform into Mighty Thor. Christian Bale is even confirmed to be joining the cast in an unknown role. Waititi has teased that Thor's relatively new friends Korg and Meik will be around too, but Thor: Love and Thunder is also bringing in others from across the MCU.

The first big MCU character confirmed to be in Thor: Love and Thunder is Peter Quill aka Star-Lord. Chris Pratt's return comes on the heels of Thor catching a ride on the Guardians of the Galaxy's ship at the end of Avengers: Endgame. With Thor 4 reportedly set to include a cast that feels like Avengers 5, there is now an expectation that Star-Lord will be one of many familiar faces to appear in the Phase 4 blockbuster. Marvel Studios has a growing library of characters who could potentially show up in Thor 4, but here are some who could fit into Waititi's next cosmic adventure.

Rocket & Groot

Thor with Rocket and Groot in Avengers Infinity War

With the return of Star-Lord for Thor 4, it stands to reason that other members of the Guardians of the Galaxy will also appear. The entire Guardians team has a chance to appear, but if there are some whose appearances are more likely, it is Rocket and Groot. Thor spent the bulk of Avengers: Infinity War with them both and his friendship with Rocket grew even more during Endgame. If the Guardians are going to have a role, then Rocket and Groot's history with Thor makes them the favorites to appear.

There are also favorable logistical reasons behind Rocket and Groot factoring into Thor 4. Both of the characters are CGI creations whose appearances wouldn't require Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel to appear on set to film. Instead, motion capture performers Sean Gunn and Terry Notary could be used to bring them to life, with Cooper and Diesel recording their dialogue before or after production. With Diesel even spotted in Australia ahead of filming beginning, perhaps he's already doing work to say "I am Groot" a few new ways.

Smart Hulk

If Thor 4 is assembling an Avengers-style cast, then what better way to do it than with another original member of the Avengers. Hulk and Thor's relationship is layered with the rivalry over who is stronger, but the introduction of Smart Hulk added a new layer. He might not be in fighting shape anymore after the Infinity Stones fried his arm, but Smart Hulk became one of Thor's most trusted allies. They've been tied together since Thor: Ragnarok, and since Smart Hulk doesn't have a clear MCU future, a return in Thor: Love and Thunder could be a way to keep him around. Perhaps it could even lead to Thor being introduced to She-Hulk either in this film or down the road.

Captain Marvel

Carol confronts the Supreme Intelligence

Thor already has a fondness for Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) after Avengers: Endgame, so she could be among the characters who return for Thor: Love and Thunder. Exactly how Captain Marvel would factor into the story is up for debate, but she could fit with any potential cosmic storylines or even work with Valkyrie to protect New Asgard. Carol was introduced to the latter in Endgame's final battle and a reunion here could pave the way for future team-ups, such as the all-female Avengers movie. And if Carol crossed paths with Mighty Thor during this process too, then Jane could be recruited to such a team as well.

Doctor Strange

Thor already had limited interactions with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in Thor: Ragnarok, but the return of the Sorcerer Supreme for Thor 4 could be tied to bigger events. Phase 4 is shaping up to heavily feature the multiverse and will see Strange appear in other projects before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This could include Thor 4, especially if theories about Mighty Thor coming from another dimension prove to be correct.

Eternals

If Marvel Studios really wants to make Thor: Love and Thunder like Avengers 5, then this could be where some of their new MCU characters crossover. Based on the current Marvel slate, Eternals will come out only a few months before Thor 4. The nearly immortal beings will be introduced through a story that spans thousands of years and will be tied to Earth and the cosmos. Although fans don't know how Eternals ends, having a few of the characters pop up in Thor 4 would be a smart way to boost the Eternals' roles in the larger universe. Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), and Thena (Angelina Jolie) could be some of the characters who make appearances.

Loki

In addition to bringing in characters from outside the Thor franchise, Thor: Love and Thunder could also bring back Tom Hiddleston's Loki. The god of mischief was set up to be on good terms with Thor at the end of Ragnarok but then Thanos snapped his neck at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War. This won't be the end of Loki as he's getting his own Disney+ series set in an alternate timeline, and there's already speculation he'll rejoin the main MCU timeline before too long. This would present Thor 4 with a chance to potentially explore Thor and Loki as foes yet again or continue to grow the trust between them.

Lady Sif

An Avengers level cast also means that Thor: Love and Thunder could help bring Jaimie Alexander back as Lady Sif. She was set up as a love interest for Thor in the first two movies, but scheduling conflicts kept Alexander from returning for Thor: Ragnarok. That was likely a blessing in disguise considering the quick and unceremonious deaths the Warriors Three received. Sif is still alive in the MCU and her whereabouts since Thor: The Dark World remains a big mystery. But, Thor 4 is the perfect place to bring her back in some capacity, with Alexander even volunteering to become King Valkyrie's queen.

Nick Fury

If Thor: Love and Thunder is going to have an Avengers feel to it, then it only makes sense for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to appear. He's appeared in every official Avengers movie in some capacity and has also been featured in solo films for Captain America, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man. Fury has never spent a lot of time with Thor, though. That could change now that Fury appears to be setting his sights on space and forming SWORD.

Eitri

Thor: Love and Thunder could also be a place for Peter Dinklage to return as Eitri. He joined the MCU in Avengers: Infinity War and helped Thor build his new favorite weapon Stormbreaker. It was expected that Eitri would return in Avengers: Endgame, but that didn't happen. With the possibility of Mjolnir returning, Eitri could come back in Thor 4 to rebuild the hammer or create another powerful weapon for Thor to use.

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