With the success of Thor: Ragnarok, Chris Hemsworth stated his interest in playing the character of Thor again should he get the opportunity. His contract with Marvel ended after Avengers: Endgame, but he stated his intention of working with Ragnarok’s director Taika Waititi saying this:
“I’d play this character for as long as anyone would let me,”
Thor: Love and Thunder was thus officially announced at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019. Taika Waititi will return to direct the fourth Thor film, which will be part of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Cast of Thor: Love and Thunder
We will be seeing Chris Hemsworth returning for the fourth film as Thor, and also Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie. Marvel Studio’s head Kevin Feige confirmed that she will be the first LGBTQ+ superhero. Natalie Portman will also return as Jane Forster. We last saw a glimpse of her in Avengers: Endgame, after she had previously appeared in the first two Thor films. She has also been confirmed as female Thor.
In October 2019, director Taika Waititi confirmed that Korg will be returning for Love and Thunder. Waititi himself was the voice behind that character. In March 2020, Tessa Thompson confirmed that Christian Bale has been cast as the villain in Love and Thunder. Vin Diesel, who voices the character of Groot in the MCU, confirmed in March, 2020 that the Guardians of the Galaxy will be incorporated in the film, with the third Guardians film also happening after Love and Thunder.
Release date of Thor: Love and Thunder
The film was earlier announced to be releasing on November 5, 2021, when the schedule of films in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was announced at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. However, the release of the Phase Four films was pushed by Disney in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thor: Love and Thunder is now scheduled to release on February 11, 2022.