Thor: The Dark World's deleted scene effectively sets up Thor: Love and Thunder. The Alan Taylor-directed movie may not be anyone's favorite in the MCU, but it's become more relevant over the last few months thanks to a couple of reasons. Avengers: Endgame revisited its events during the heroes' Time Heist, giving the film a great significance, followed by the confirmation that Natalie Portman's Jane Foster - who fans have not seen since the 2013 movie -  is set to return to the franchise.

Now, another pivotal detail from the film is expected to lead into the events of Taika Waititi's Love and Thunder, which is set to release in 2021. Plot details are still tightly under wraps at this point, but during the project's announcement at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige revealed key details about the film, including Foster becoming The Mighty Thor - a narrative mined from the comics.

Related: Jojo Rabbit Is Good News For Thor: Love and Thunder

The new The Dark World deleted scene comes from The Infinity Saga box set and it offers fans a look at Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Jane's break-up, which was only briefly mentioned in Thor: Ragnarok. In it, Jane explains that she cannot go back with the God of Thunder to Asgard because there's nothing there for her despite being genuinely in love with him. Unable to relocate to Earth given his responsibility as the successor to Odin (Anthony Hopkins). He then leaves with his father, ready to fully accept the throne.

Thor and Jane Foster

Given this deleted scene, it appears that Ragnarok was only going off of where The Dark World left things between Thor and Jane. For a while, some assumed that the threequel essentially disregarded much the set-up from the previous two Thor movies. And it didn't help that the God of Thunder's delivery when asked about his relationship with his prior love interest is executed in a humorous way - as if the break up didn't profoundly affect him. In the same sequence, there is no explanation for they split, giving fans the impression it's a mere excuse for Portman's non-involvement in the movie. At least now, the public has an actual understanding on what really went down with regard to their relationship. On top of that, it can also lead to the former couple's reunion in Love and Thunder.

With New Asgard now on Earth and Thor not burdened by being king after he passing on the responsibility, officially, to Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), there's a good chance on seeing him back with Jane. It's still unclear how Waititi is planning to incorporate the new Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder after her absence since Thor: The Dark World. Regardless, fans now have an inkling why she was missing-in-action the last several years, giving the upcoming movie the opportunity to move beyond the break-up and focus on what lies ahead.

More: Odin's Original Death Revealed In Thor: Ragnarok Deleted Scene

Source: Marvel Studios

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