MCU Costume Designer Says One Major Thor Character Keeps Getting Cut

There's one Marvel Cinematic Universe character who keeps getting cut from every potential appearance, despite being a major Thor character. The Thor franchise has largely revolved around the relationship between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and their mixed feelings towards their parents. While Thor: Ragnarok sees the destruction of Asgard, the bond between the brothers is still an essential part of the story, as with the revelation that Hela (Cate Blanchett) is secretly their half-sister, they have to wrestle with their father's legacy throughout the project, especially in the wake of his sudden and shocking death.

Yet the brothers secretly have yet another half-sibling waiting in the wings. In the comics, Thor and Loki are also related to another of Odin's children, Balder the Brave. Balder, who nearly featured in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Illuminati, is a friend to the Warriors Three and is originally introduced as an invulnerable character with incredible skill as a warrior. In an interview with ComicBook.com, Graham Churchyard, a costume designer for the MCU, has revealed that Balder was intended to be included in several MCU projects, but the character was sadly cut every time. Check out his quote below:

We got very far designing Balder the Brave, and then we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting on casting. I took it to a prototype stage, we were kind of in that design thing, getting fabrics together and ideas and waiting for an actor. Poor Balder the Brave, he almost made Thor 1, and Thor 2, and Thor 3, if I can simplify that. Then, it's just like, 'Yay! He's gonna get an appearance!' Poor guy. I've seen designs Marvel's archive book of Balder's helmet going back to Kenneth Branagh's Thor. So, he's been a long time waiting, and I don't think he's gonna make an appearance any time soon.

Because of this stupid thing called COVID there was a travel ban, and I was unable to go to the States. I live in the UK here on the south coast. Basically, it got to a point where they... They had another couple of characters that were back in the design stage in the UK like Balder the Brave and because oof just the way that we couldn't bring a lot of these actors over because of travel ban in reverse and sort of constraints... We couldn't bring Patrick Stewart over to shoot at the same time as Hayley Atwell. Hayley Atwell was into M:I 7 and other things. So, this sort of dream of getting the Illuminati all in one room at the same time didn't happen in London. It just about happened in LA over something like a six-month time span which is an extraordinary thing. It's like, the Illuminati, when I got those pages, it's just like, 'This is like a whole movie in itself because it could just expand so much.'

Where Might Balder The Brave Appear In The MCU?

With Asgard destroyed, Balder likely won't be appearing in his ancestral home if he ever does manage to find a place in the MCU, but that doesn't mean that he won't have a place in the story. Balder has ruled as the King of Hel before, which could give him an opportunity to appear — with some creativity. If the warrior has already been killed, or if continuity is adjusted so that Balder died in the destruction of Asgard, he would be able to appear as a potential ruler of Valhalla. That gives an opportunity for a Jane Foster appearance after Thor: Love and Thunder, and it can also give Heimdall another chance.

If Balder isn't already gone, he could be living as secret royalty among the people of Asgard. Living under the rule of Valkyrie, Balder could be biding his time before revealing his true heritage. After all, in the wake of the death of Odin and the appearance of Hela, secret half-siblings to Thor may be viewed with suspicion. Balder may mean well, but he should be smart enough to know when to lie low in the wake of the series of destruction that have devastated Asgard for years. Chris Hemsworth wants Thor's next MCU appearance to be his last, which means that Marvel will need a new Asgardian hero to take his place. Like Valkyrie, Balder could be just that hero.

If Balder does not ever play a major role in the MCU, there are still some places where the character can shine. With Kang getting ready to unleash multiversal chaos upon the Avengers, Balder can appear in other universes to team up with the heroes of Earth-616. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars are likely going to be massive productions that could bring together as many heroes as Avengers: Endgame did. There can be no better place for Balder to arrive in the MCU, as he will have an easy role to play in the fight. Unfortunately, since Daniel Craig backed out of a Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness appearance as Balder, the MCU will likely have to find another actor entirely, so it remains to be seen who could play Thor's half-brother.

More: Every Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie & TV Show In DevelopmentSource: ComicBook.com