Natalie Portman’s Thor 4 Return Shows The Problem With The Comic Adaptation

Natalie Portman is returning to the MCU in Thor: Love & Thunder – but, ironically, the nature of her return points to a major problem with this particular comic book adaptation. In 2014, comic book writer Jason Aaron changed the Thor franchise forever. The “Original Sin” event ended with Thor Odinson rendered unworthy to wield his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir. Soon readers were introduced to a new Thor, ultimately revealed to be his ex, Jane Foster.

The idea was a popular one, and it is frankly hardly surprising to see Marvel Studios adapting it for the big screen. The MCU’s Jane Foster is different from the comics – as an astrophysicist rather than a nurse – but nonetheless, she is destined to be transformed into the Mighty Thor. Natalie Portman – who played the part in the first two Thor films – is returning, not just as a love interest but as a superhero in her own right. Unfortunately, this very return highlights a problem many comic book adaptations face.

It is easy to forget the identity of the female Thor was originally a mystery. In fact, the first Mighty Thor run featuring this character focused on the very fact that she was an enigma. Thor Odinson himself put together a list of all the women he could conceivably imagine being her alter ego, and he ran through this checklist only to eliminate every single name. Jane Foster was crossed off the list because she was going through chemotherapy, and neither Thor nor the readers believed she could actually be the Goddess of Thunder. In reality, Jane’s cancer treatment was actually the reason for her worthiness – and every time Jane transformed into Thor, it reversed the effects of the chemotherapy. Mjolnir was literally killing Jane, but she considered it a price worth paying because she believed the Nine Realms needed a Thor so badly.

But here is the problem with this particular comic book adaptation; the mystery has already been resolved. An accurate recreation of this popular comic book storyline is impossible, precisely because there is no potential for that “shock factor.” This is why Marvel has not even attempted to keep the identity of the female Thor a mystery; in fact, they announced Portman’s return alongside the announcement of Thor 4 itself. It is a shame the emotional impact of Jason Aaron’s excellent story can never be effectively duplicated.

That is not to say there are no mysteries about Thor 4, however. The identity of the female Thor has been substituted with another enigma, the question of just how Jane Foster has acquired Mjolnir in the first place. In the MCU, Mjolnir was destroyed by Hela in Thor: Ragnarok, so it should really be impossible for another to wear the mantle of Thor Odinson. Every set photo for Thor: Love & Thunder is being pored over for clues to explain Mjolnir’s continued existence or restoration – and that is one mystery Marvel would be wise not to reveal until the film itself.

About The Author

Thomas Bacon
(4909 Articles Published)

Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

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A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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