Thor: Love & Thunder Trailer Secretly Sets Up MCU's Beta Ray Bill

The Thor: Love and Thunder trailer secretly sets up Beta Ray Bill joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Phase 4. Many expected Chris Hemsworth's tenure as Thor Odinson to reach its conclusion in Avengers: Endgame. However, Marvel Studios instead gave him a fourth solo film, which is set to be the biggest yet. Thor Odinson's next movie includes the Guardians of the Galaxy in a supporting role, Jane Foster's Mighty Thor transformation, and makes Gorr the God Butcher the next threat for Thor. Most of this is featured in the first Thor: Love and Thunder trailer, but there's also a tease for Thor's MCU replacement.

Even though Thor's story could continue beyond Thor: Love and Thunder, the transformation of Jane Foster into Mighty Thor signal Marvel's long-term plans to replace him. Natalie Portman's return could see her step into the Thor title by herself thanks to the repaired Mjolnir she wields, but many also want to see Beta Ray Bill make his live-action debut. He's a Korbonite warrior in the comics who is deemed worthy of Thor's power and Mjolnir, leading him to temporarily hold the mantle. The MCU has already teased his existence through Thor: Ragnarok, but now it seems that the latest piece of MCU marketing is setting him up more directly.

One of the plot points Thor: Love and Thunder's trailer secretly reveals is Thor and Korg returning to Sakaar. The planet played a prominent role in Thor: Ragnarok, as this is where Thor and Korg met. It also happens to be a place where Beta Ray Bill became Grandmaster's champion at some point before Hulk took the crown. It is possible, then, that Thor and Korg's return trip to Sakaar will include an encounter with Beta Ray Bill. Thor: Ragnarok's ending saw Sakaar fall into disarray as a rebellion started against Grandmaster's reign. Thor: Love and Thunder's trailer could be setting up Beta Ray Bill's return to the planet to protect Jeff Goldblum's character or lead the rebellion against him. It's even possible that he journeys to Sakaar with Thor and Korg, as many have noted the suspicious empty space next to Thor in the shot below.

Thor Love and Thunder Trailer Thor Korg Sakaar

The possible introduction of Beta Ray Bill in Thor: Love and Thunder also pairs incredibly well with the main theme of the movie based on the trailer. The footage highlights that Thor is ready to retire from his superhero days and fighting battles, as he instead develops a desire to create peace. The Thor: Love and Thunder trailer even shows him planting Stormbreaker in the ground, seemingly retiring it from his use. However, Beta Ray Bill is the original and rightful owner of Stormbreaker in the comics.

If Thor does truly retire from his superhero ways or dies fighting Gorr the God Butcher, Beta Ray Bill's introduction in Thor: Love and Thunder could allow him to step in and use Stormbreaker going forward. Even if the movie doesn't bring Beta Ray Bill into the picture through a return trip to Sakaar, he's still a prime candidate to appear in the movie. He's at the center of various popular theories, such as Lady Sif returning with Beta Ray Bill, or the theory that he replaces Thor as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy moving forward. All of this is speculation for now, but hopefully Thor: Love and Thunder will deliver on these possible Beta Ray Bill teases.

More: Why Christian Bale's Gorr Is Not In Thor: Love & Thunder's Trailer