The first official full trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder provides an intimate look at the God of Thunder's fourth solo MCU outing. Featuring a returning Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a terrifying Christian Bale as the skeletal Gorr, and new looks for several key characters, it's clear that Thor 4 will deliver impressive spectacle alongside the series' signature wit. But, beyond providing audiences with the clearest indication yet of the film's tone, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer also revealed plenty of hitherto unknown tidbits that ramp up the excitement ahead of the movie's July 8 release date.
Following the film's first teaser, the new Thor: Love and Thunder trailer provides a better look at all the key players. From a plot perspective, the footage indicates that, after the events of Endgame, the Asgardian departs Earth with the Guardians of the Galaxy, traveling with his companion Korg in order to find a new purpose. It's during these travels that he learns of Jane Foster's new persona as Mighty Thor. Separately, in the shadows, Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher makes a sinister vow that "all gods must die", setting the scene for a climactic showdown with Thor Odinson.
On the surface, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer reveals significantly more about the movie's narrative arc than previous promotional materials. Yet, beyond the broad brushstrokes indicated by the reveal of characters such as Gorr and Zeus, the footage also provides several key pieces of information that inadvertently give away more about the overall story than initially meets the eye. Here are all the key facts that can be learned from the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer.
Where Is Thor?
Following the previously released shot of Thor meditating under a mysterious tree at sunset, the new trailer provides the biggest clue yet as to where he has settled. The trailer clearly shows Korg, with Thor's tree in the background, relaying stories of Thor's adventures to a race of blue-skinned aliens. According to one theory, [via TechRadar] the aliens' appearance suggests that Thor will spend at least some of his time on the desert world of Indigarr, as they bear close relation to the so-called Sky–Lords who ruled over the planet before being killed by Gorr. These historical ties to the story of Gorr the God Butcher make their appearance here make even more sense. In the original material, Thor even brought rain to the desert planet, which could explain Korg's audience's rapt attention.
New Asgard – The Holiday Resort
In addition to showcasing Thor's new home, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer also revealed what exactly has befallen the colony of New Asgard. Following Valkyrie's ascension to the throne, it seems as though the community has become a wildly popular tourist attraction. The trailer clearly shows several cruise ships, as well as a golf course and new buildings boasting the old city's signature design quirks. The commercialization of her home may go some way to explaining why Valkyrie is so determined to team up with Thor and Jane for another adventure.
The Guardians Help Train Thor
Although the first Love and Thunder teaser trailer showed a montage of Thor's weight-loss training, the new Thor 4 trailer provided an even more detailed look at his regime. It's now clear that Thor is given assistance by the Guardians of the Galaxy (who are largely conspicuous by their absence elsewhere in the trailer). In one memorable image, Thor is seen dragging the Benatar behind him, suggesting that the crew are fully behind his mission to go from "dad-bod to god-bod".
Gorr The God Butcher's Origin
Perhaps the biggest reveal from the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer is the appearance of Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher, the main antagonist of the movie. However, while much of his design appears to be relatively comic-accurate, there seem to be some key differences. Perhaps the most significant is that Gorr looks to obtain his powers without Knull – the dark god of the symbiotes in Marvel comics and creator of Venom. Given the complex rights agreements currently in place between Marvel and Sony, it is perhaps unsurprising that the original Knull seems to have been replaced with some sort of more ambiguous dark cloud from which Gorr draws his power. Nevertheless, the exact nature of his cinematic origin remains, for now, unclear.
Gorr Is Conflicted About Fighting Thor
In what may be the biggest giveaway in the entire trailer, Gorr outlines his plans and motivations for wishing to see the gods destroyed, declaring, "The only ones who gods care about is themselves... So this is my vow: all gods will die." This unambiguous statement of intent clearly places the likes of Thor directly in the firing line. Yet, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer also makes it clear that, when it comes to Thor himself, Gorr is personally conflicted about his mission. As he says, "You're not like the other gods that I've killed," perhaps indicating a change of heart. This could provide the clearest indication yet as to how Thor escapes Gorr's clutches.
What Zeus Looks Like
Another key facet of the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer is an extended look at what many believe to be the MCU's version of the Parliament of Pantheons. The organization has historically served as a kind of governing body for deities and seems to be confirmed by the first clear look at Russel Crowe's Zeus. Sporting what seems to be an affected Greek accent, as well as a long flowing beard, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer also indicates that Zeus is capable of at least minor telekinesis, disrobing Thor with a flick of his finger. This humorous scene suggests that the head of the Greek gods may be used as an amusing contrast against the more villainous Gorr.
Thor And Jane's Break-Up Date Revealed
Following Natalie Portman's well-publicized split from Marvel, speculation has run rife over the exact date of her character, Jane Foster's, break with Thor. The Thor: Love and Thunder trailer, however, not only confirmed that the pair split almost immediately following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, but did so with alarming accuracy. Thor admits that he has been counting down the days since he last saw his ex, confirming that it has been "8 years, 7 months and 6 days...give or take" since they last saw each other. This not only proves Thor's undying affection for Jane, but also confirms where in the MCU timeline the movie takes place.
Jane Foster's First Trailer Tease Wasn't Real
Jane Foster's appearance in the original teaser trailer caused understandable excitement and confirmed a long-standing theory about the film's plot. However, while the new Thor: Love and Thunder trailer shows more of Jane in action, it also highlights that her first appearance wasn't all it seemed. In the clip, Thor is seen reaching towards a cracked Mjolnir while wearing his old, less-elaborate armor. However, when he speaks to Jane for the first time, seemingly shocked at her arrival, he is decked out in a new suit, complete with an ostentatiously winged helmet. The discrepancy between his looks in these two scenes suggests that Jane Foster's first appearance may have been some sort of vision before Thor upgraded his own armor. This theory tracks with Thor's backstory, as he has long been haunted by prophetic dreams, most notably in Age of Ultron.
Jane Foster's New Powers
Beyond her armor and more imposing physique, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer also showcased Jane Foster's impressive range of powers, along with some key changes to the hammer Mjolnir. Not only is she capable of flight, summoning lightning and wielding the Asgardian artifact with deadly force, but she now seems able to use Mjolnir as a projectile weapon. In one scene, the hammer fractures off into dozens of tiny pieces, incapacitating several enemies at once. Combined with her other abilities, this development makes Jane Foster as Mighty Thor a serious force to be reckoned with.
Mistress Death Becomes MCU Canon?
In one of the more subtle reveals from the trailer, Thor: Love and Thunder could confirm one of the most significant figures from the Marvel comics in the form of Mistress Death. One scene appears to show Jane Foster summoning lightning in a mysterious vault, flanked by a series of statues. Alongside what appears to be Zeus and The Watcher from What If...?, there seems to be a hooded figure whose face stares out, impassive and skull-like. This character, whose identity is unconfirmed, bears a close resemblance to several representations of Death in the Marvel comics, according to several eagle-eyed viewers [via Twitter]. If this figure really is a representation of the sinister entity, it could have serious repercussions, not just for Thor: Love and Thunder, but the entire MCU.
