Joe Russo Confirms the Best Version of Thor Is Returning in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Few Marvel heroes have gone through as many reinventions as Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder. From Shakespearean royalty to comedic sidekick to grief-stricken recluse, the character has changed dramatically depending on who was behind the camera, and fans have long debated which Thor in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ they’ll get to see.

Hemsworth is reuniting with directors Joe and Anthony Russo for the upcoming crossover, marking their first collaboration since ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Speaking with CBR’s Sean O’Connell, the brothers reflected on how much the actor has brought to the role, with Joe noting that Hemsworth adds plenty of both pathos and comedy.

Joe Russo singled out ‘Endgame’ as a showcase for the character at his most vulnerable and off-balance, while Anthony called Hemsworth’s portrayal of the traumatized hero remarkable. But when it comes to ‘Doomsday’, the filmmakers have a very different version in mind.

“We have a specific point of view on that character. That’s what we’re going to carry forward, the Infinity War Thor,” Joe Russo told CBR, explaining that he finds Hemsworth fascinatingly malleable in the role after working with a wide array of directors with different tastes and tones.

He then teased exactly what that means for the character’s mindset. “We love that sort of warrior version of him, that warrior who has lost everything, who is seeking meaning through battle. Will he ever find it or not? That is the journey he will go on against the greatest foe he’s ever met. As you can see from the trailers, it’s going to be a hell of a fight,” he said.

New trailer for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

In theaters December 18 pic.twitter.com/1wsiTk1Nnv

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For many fans, this is exactly the news they wanted to hear. The ‘Infinity War’ version of the character is defined by his fierce, single-minded determination, perhaps best captured when he storms onto the battlefield with his newly forged Stormbreaker and demands Thanos.

By contrast, some viewers were disappointed by ‘Endgame’, where Thor’s profound grief made sense but left him worn down. Returning to a more serious, warrior-like take feels like a natural fit given that the trailers suggest Thor could step into a leadership role in the new film.

Since the events of ‘Endgame’, Thor has been traveling and raising his adopted daughter, Love. The ‘Doomsday’ teasers suggest he’s also taking a more reflective path, including praying to his father, Odin, for the strength of the All-Fathers as multiversal threats begin to rise.

That greatest foe is Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., whom the Russos have described as one of the most complex characters in comic books. Some fans have even theorized that Thor could unlock the Odinforce or Thorforce, though neither has been confirmed.

Not everyone is focused on the big picture, though. One fan replying to the news joked about how Thor’s hair seems to switch between long and short depending on who’s directing.

Thor won’t be facing Doom alone. The massive ensemble includes returning heroes like Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, along with the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and several X-Men, with Yelena also set to play a key role.

In the meantime, fans can catch ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ in theaters, which features 4 minutes of new footage bridging the gap to the next chapter. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ arrives on December 18, 2026, followed by ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ on December 17, 2027.

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