Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Thor: Love and Thunder.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) isn't in Thor: Love and Thunder, and Marvel Studios has a good reason why. The God of Mischief was integral to Thor's (Chris Hemsworth) arc in the MCU, having been either against him or by his side throughout most of his battles thus far. As such, it's understandably jarring to see the God of Thunder going on this new adventure in Thor: Love and Thunder without his brother. Luckily, Marvel Studios has a solid explanation for why Loki isn't around during the fight against Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale).

The Avenger embarks on a new mission after Avengers: Endgame in Th0r: Love and Thunder. Spending time with the Guardians of the Galaxy on galactic quests, the God of Thunder also takes the time to focus on taking care of himself, both physically and mentally. That's until the threat of Gorr the God Butcher becomes apparent. It forces him to return to Asgard where he teams up with Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who is now Mighty Thor. One ally conspicuously absent throughout all of this is Loki.

Related: Everything We Know About Thor 5: Story, Setting & Cast

When Thor: Love and Thunder is set in the MCU timeline isn't entirely clear, but the film does take place after the Infinity Saga. At this point, the Sacred Timeline Loki is already dead. The God of Mischief died at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War at the hands of Thanos (Josh Brolin). Unlike his previous deaths, Marvel Studios never resurrected him even after the reverse snap in Avengers: Endgame. Instead, a 2012 version of the character exists in the Marvel universe and is the one spearheading Disney+'s Loki series. That being said, he is somewhere outside of time, dealing with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) after the death of He Who Remains separate from what's happening in the Sacred Timeline. Thor doesn't know this; to him, Loki is truly dead.

Is Loki In Valhalla In The MCU

Loki Finale

With Loki dead in the Sacred Timeline, does it mean that he is in Valhalla? Thor: Love and Thunder debuts Valhalla following the demise of Jane Foster. Instead of staying on the sidelines and continuing with his cancer treatment, she opts to become Mighty Thor one last time in the hopes of helping Thor take on Gorr the God Butcher. This leads to Jane's death and in Thor: Love and Thunder's post-credits scene, Heimdall (Idris Elba) welcomes her to Valhalla. Since Marvel Studios has seemingly altered the rules of entering the afterlife, allowing non-Asgardians like Jane in, it's possible that Loki is also there since he, too, died in battle. Perhaps, it's a reveal saved for the potential Thor 5 which Thor: Love and Thunder clearly sets up. 

Currently, Marvel Studios hasn't given any indication that Thor and Loki’s current paths will cross again anytime soon. The God of Thunder is busy raising Gorr the God Butcher's daughter, Love, whom he adopted in the Thor: Love and Thunder ending. Meanwhile, the God of Mischief has his hands full tackling the multiverse going haywire. It's safe to say, however, that ultimately, the brothers will be reunited again. 

More: Thor: Love & Thunder Post-Credits Scenes Explained: New & Returning Heroes

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