Last year, some people were surprised to learn that Natalie Portman was seemingly pushed out of the Thor franchise. When the casting announcements came out for Thor: Ragnarok, Portman’s name was not listed anywhere. In fact, we got the news that Tessa Thompson would be playing Thor’s new love interest, which was interesting because a major Marvel hero (a white guy, of course) was going to get involved with a woman of color. When the Wall Street Journal asked Portman about her absence, she confirmed that as far as she knew, she was done. But the WSJ also noted, “her absence in the latest Marvel movies (she hasn’t been seen since Thor: The Dark World) seems to have more to do with a lack of a demand for her character than with Portman’s disinterest in the part.” As in, Portman and Chris Hemsworth had zero chemistry together and no one gave a sh-t about Jane. Well, now Chris Hemsworth and Marvel president Kevin Feige confirm that Portman’s Jane and Thor have broken up.
The first two Thor movies found the Norse god (Chris Hemsworth) falling for Natalie Portman’s astrophysicist Jane Foster. But Foster (and Portman) are both absent in November’s third installment, Thor: Ragnarok. So what happened?
Simple: Thor and Jane broke up. Apologies to those who believe in Avenger/average citizen love. Ragnarok presents a very different (and very single) Thor, who we last saw flying off to figure out who was manipulating the Avengers. “He’s off exploring the universe, still trying to police it and control the mayhem,” says Hemsworth. “But he’s certainly enjoying being a drifter, being a solo cowboy out there.”
He eventually does, though, meet warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) on Sakaar but it’s unclear whether the pair’s relationship will ever be romantic. “We wanted Thor to encounter somebody that was near his equal and that his relationship with Jane may have evolved in unexpected ways in between The Dark World and Ragnarok and we wanted to pit him against a character who was much more his equal and in many ways his superior,” says Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. “Valkyrie is trying to not embrace any sort of Asgardian heritage that she has. Thor thinks maybe that will create a bond between them and, on the contrary, she wants to forget it all entirely.”
So not only did Thor dump Jane – that’s what it sounds like, right? – but then he gets involved with a woman of color who is his superior? And she kicks his ass? That’s interesting. It feels like Kevin Feige has heard some of the complaints lodged at Marvel franchises and Marvel is taking baby steps to ensure that A) everything isn’t such a g–damn sausage party in the MCU and B) that the female characters have actual agency and sh-t to do.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Confession: I actually really liked Jane because she was joyfully nerdy in a way women don’t usually get to be in movies. I also found the idea of Thor abandoning his heritage for a woman and a shift in his moral agreement with Asgard to have the potential for an interesting conflict later on. I’m a little sad to see her go, though I recognize it’s more exciting to see a POC woman as a love interest in a Marvel film.
I didn’t mind Jane and I also liked that she had an established career in STEM apart from him, unlike the Pepper Potts character in Iron Man or the Rachel MacAdams character in Dr Strange. And Jane was able to use her knowledge to help fight the elves in Thor Dark World.
But they had to wrestle with Portman to honor her contract to be in the second one
I really liked Jane and Thor together, I thought they were cute. I liked that she was so smart and he was so big and strong. I also liked her assistant and the people in her life, so I will miss them all in this next one.
Yeah, I imagine Kat Dennings may not be in this one if Jane isn’t, and that’s a huge bummer. She was so much fun.
I’ll miss Darcy much more than Jane.
Every time I watch Thor, I wonder why we’re supposed to believe that pseudo Viking, beer swilling Thor would ever look past the busty and lovely Kay Dennings.
yeah, if Jane goes I imagine Darcy won’t be around either. Which is a shame because Darcy was so much fun.
I loved Jane’s enthusiastic geekery too. I’m sorry to see her go, even though I had zero interest in her relationship to Thor. Can’t we get a standalone Jane and Darcy dork-out-and-save-the-world movie? 🙂
I second that idea! Jane And Darcy Save The World should happen!! And can you imaging the amount of argument and bickering that would happen before they solve a single, simple problem?
I thought Portman had been trying to get out of her Marvel contract for a while, hence why Jane got dumped?
I thought Portman was already disinterested to come back for the second film so I assumed it was her choice not to return.
I am not really interested in this film since it seems to be going to a more comedic direction instead of fantasy one but we will see, maybe they just highlight those aspects a bit more to make the film have more of an identity.
Portman only did the first Thor film because she wanted to work with Kenneth Branagh, which she admitted to during press for it. When he didn’t return to do the 2nd one that’s when she wanted out of the contract.
Portman said in an interview a couple of months ago that she would love to come back to the franchise. I’m not saying she meant it but she did say it.
@V4Real just to add, you also have to consider the context for that statement. There are certain interview questions that leave you with an out. If you dont mention that you are keen to return then the headline becomes “Ungrateful Natalie Portman thinks she is too good for Marvel even though her career aint on fire”. Lots of people tell little white lies to avoid the bad press even though the privately refuse to strike a deal.
I also think that she *could be lured back with the promise of a more empowered character. I actually think this may be the bigger issue for her not Branaughs absence. It wouldnt surprise me if ten years from now she mentions in an interview that sge took that role under certain assuarances and that she was betrayed either by script rewrites or editing. Or that she refused to continue sans better writing for her character but they just shrugged and proceeded without her. I mean God knows Feigi has done sh*t with ALL the female characters and Natalies is especially hard done by.
@Cherise – actually, the MCU Phase 1 female leads (Avengers and pre-Avengers franchises barring the Hulk) were all quite fleshed out and are mostly well liked by fans…. with Portman as Jane being the sole exception.
I don’t know how much control she expected, considering the franchise was called Thor and not Jane, but Marvel has no truck with stars trying to dictate terms creatively – Edward Norton was booted from any prospect of featuring in the Avengers for that reason. She’s made her disdain for the franchise fairly clear, if not in so many words, and Marvel knows they don’t need her because fans are indifferent to her character – so out she went.
I’m looking forward to Tessa as Valkyrie, and I’ll be fine with the romance angle either happening or not – it’s good to see a POC female lead in the MCU at last. (about damn time!)
Eh. Was anyone really there for the Jane-Thor love story?
They had zero chemistry because NP was not into the role anymore. And Jane WAS a pain in the ass because of it.
Thought the character of Jane was boring and looked like a twelve year old girl standing next to Thor, plus character wise was to weak to stand up to Thor. If Thor’s next love interest has a backbone, and actual curves, plus fighting skills, she has my vote.
Probably both – as in lack of demand for Jane AND that Portman wanted out of the franchise. The blockbuster type just doesn’t seem to suit Portman anyway, who always seems to gravitate towards indie-film types. Plus, having Jane be a prominent figure in the films would limit Marvel’s time towards what’s going on in Asgard(and beyond if we’re heading towards Infinity War), so it makes sense to write Jane out of the franchise. I’d rather this than have her be shoehorned in every time.
I’m way more invested in what’s going to happen with Tony and Pepper…I hope we haven’t seen the last of Gwyenth in the role. 🙁
In Civil War they revealed that Stark and Potts had broken up and I hope it stays that way.
Does she though? Look at Star Wars…
I like Jane … but I also think NP and CH have almost no romantic chemistry. Watching both movies, I wanted him to notice the Lady Sif romantically cause Thor sparked with her.
I’ll be curious to see what happens with Thor & Valkyrie in Thor Ragnorak.
Yes Yes. They were a boring couple!! Great news on Tessa’s role, I was afraid she was going to be a love interest!
Now, please, no more Sharon Carter in the upcoming Avengers movie!
good god, are they STILL trying to make Sharon Carter happen?!
He looks better as Thor with longer hair.
No short hair on Viking Gods.
It’s a little bit like when Metallica got their haircuts, lol.
Sigggghhhh
Yeah i remember.
More to see with Apocalyptica, one member a year reducing their hair.
Sigghh
I think the costume upgrade is nice, but I admit I think Hemsworth looked really good with the long hair. I see the benefit of distancing him visually from the previous two films, though, if the director is taking it in a different direction.
I think he looks hotter with the short hair.
Now it’s just Chris Hemsworth in a Thor costume. Thor should have long blonde hair. Always, like magic. Thor does not go to the barber or use “product”. End of story. They are ruining everything.
*Shrug* OK.
While Marvel’s African American representation has improved substantially I would note that their Latinx and Asian representation remains horrible and/or near non-existent. It would be nice to see them work on that.
100 % THIS. They’ve made strides, but a lot of people are still missing from these worlds.
New planet new hair lmfao I feels bad for Thor, maybe this time people will care..
Lol Thor did the post break up hair cut and is off trying to find himself.
I have no idea exactly how the haircut fits in the new film, but in actual Norse mythology, hair and its symbolic power figure prominently. In one story, LOKI steals THOR’S wife’s golden locks and has to replace them by magical means before THOR kills him.
THIRD GINGER
Exactly, Norse Mytology has some of hair fetish.
And in the times of old, when the Gods of the North were mighty, the long hair on a man meant he was a FREE man or of course even a LORD.
Short hair meant a lot of times unfree /Slave.
@third ginger. Yes but Marvel doesn’t give a toss about following the mythology (which in my opinion is much more interesting).
But…..Jane becomes the new Thor! I don’t give a crap if he dumps her in these movies but Natalie as Thor in her own movie should happen. My fingers are crossed! I was so excited when I saw the Thor was a woman. Not She-Thor, not Thorita- just Thor.
@mc2 that’s comics jane who is fighting breast cancer and becomes thor, while real thor becomes unworthy for being a douchebag. Frigga has a soft spot for her and oh frigga is king now, don’t know what happened to odin. I think frigga dethroned him for some reason and also Loki is a good guy now.
Now that sounds like good movies! Chris could play a douchebag, Taylor’s ex can play a nice guy who learned the meaning of the good side & Portman kicking ass while having cancer. I’d go see that! But the Hollywood machine will never make it I suppose…..
I didn’t think they had any chemistry. And the interests of each character seemed so different. Her career clearly was a priority to her. It would make sense that it didn’t work out. Not every woman is willing to throw away their career for a Prince.
@deezee agreed and that’s how she should have acted all along but in tdw they ruined her character and reduced her to a pining broken hearted girl who quited her job for two freaking years.
I didn’t mind the character Jane, but reading Portman’s interviews. It was so painfully apparent that she was just there for the fat paycheck and the work was so beneath her brilliance it was annoying. So go have your French babies and do your indie movies since you have the comfort of being rich now without any risk.
That’s kind of the impression I get from every big budget flick she is put in. She feels entitled to the dough and the exposure, but, like, she just wants everyone to know that she is really too smart and artsy to actually enjoy those films. She is a special snowflake, and not like every other actor on set!
Everyone else, I imagine, thinks, ‘yeah, screw you, too. Go make your artsy indies, like Jane Got a Gun and Hersher…’
Also, he looks like Spartacus on that magazine cover.
jane wasn’t pushed out she quited as natalie p didn’t wanted to work with marvel anymore.
I know there is not so much love for jane for being throne between thorki * ;)* but my only problem with her is that a intelligent woman like her pined and quited her job for a long weekend crush who didn’t call her for two freaking years. I mean are you kidding me?
Anyway I don’t think there would be any romance between tessa and chris. As chris said thor is more like a fan boy of valkyree and it stops there. When ragnarok in horizon there is no time for romance. Plus don’t you know the real romance exist between Loki and thor? :p
why people are assuming thor dumped jane. that guy left his home, throne for her. I think it was mutual break. Both dumped each other.
And only good thing about this no more darcy. She is freaking annoying. I loved her as max in two broke girls but darcy?just no.
What about Sif?
I know right? They have an undercurrent of unrequited love from Syf in both of the previous Thor movies, then nothing. If you watch Syf in them, you can see longing for Thor (and hostility for Jane).
Oh no! Love is dead!
*runs away crying*
Ha!
I don’t really like the short-wet-hair and beard combo on him. I miss his luscious blonde hair sigh.
“Marvel is taking baby steps to ensure that A) everything isn’t such a g–damn sausage party in the MCU and B) that the female characters have actual agency and sh-t to do.”
Maybe… but on the other hand: BOOB ARMOUR. Seriously, moulded plastic boob armour.
I know these are comic book movies, but please… have some standards.
Good riddance to Portman, the fans certainly don’t miss her and that’s no surprise considering she spent both Thor movies looking mildly condescending*, like she was too good to waste her Oscar-level talents on a superhero movie. Even Goop did better than her by actually being good at playing Pepper.
*(and this isn’t a Thor-only thing, she does it in all her non-Oscar-bait/non-arthousey movies)
So Jane wasn’t his equal because she wasn’t some warrior from another world? She was smarter than him, so also his “superior” in that sense. I guess we’ll have to see the movie but I don’t like this speech of women are badass as long as they can kick ass in a fight that seems to be coming off their statements. (Also, Jane was fairly boring so I’m not sorry she’s gone. But Tessa Thompson… Hopefully she can play something different as sassy brat this time).
I liked Jane a lot! And I think one of the things that made me warm up to her so quickly was because she was geeky, nerdy and an astrophysicist/nuclear scientist or something! I loved her smarts( not very apparent in Dark World but still)!.