This week on Capes and Tights, Adam Morrisette and Justin Soderberg discuss the first three Thor films and previewing Love and Thunder.
The first film in the series was released on May 6, 2011 as the fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as part of Phase I. During its run in the theaters the movie amassed $449.3 million on a $150 million budget.
Thor was directed by Kenneth Branagh with a story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich and a screenplay by Ashley Edward, Miller Zack, and Stentz Don Payne. The origin story starred Chris Hemsworth as Thor; Natalie Portman as Jane Foster; Tom Hiddleston as Loki; Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig; Colm Feore as Laufey; Ray Stevenson as Volstagg; Idris Elba as Heimdall; Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis; Rene Russo as Frigga; Anthony Hopkins as Odin; Tadanobu Asano as Hogun; Josh Dallas as Fandral; and Jaimie Alexander as Sif. Additionally, Clark Gregg reprises his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson from the Iron Man films.
The Dark World hit theaters on November 8, 2013 as the eighth film in the MCU and part of Phase II. The film reached $644.8 million with a budget around $150-170 million.
The sequel was directed by Alan Taylor with a story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat and screenplay by Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely. Returning for the second film was Hemsworth, Portman, Hiddleston, Skarsgård, Stevenson, Elba, Dennings, Russo, Hopkins, Asano, and Alexander. Joining the crew is Christopher Eccleston as Malekith; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Algrim / Kurse; and Zachary Levi as Fandral.
Ragnarok, arguably the most well-liked of the first three films, was released on November 3, 2017 as part of Phase III and the 17th film in the MCU. The third film has also been the most profitable of the films with $854 million in the box office on a $180 million budget.
Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Elba, and Hopkins returned for the film with Cate Blanchett as Hela; Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster; Tessa Thompson as Scrapper 142 / Valkyrie; Karl Urban as Skurge; and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk all joining the cast. Taika Waititi was at the helm as director and the film was penned by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, and Yost. Waititi also voice the role of Korg.
Thor will be the first MCU character to get a fourth solo film with the release of Thor: Love and Thunder on July 8, 2022. The film was also directed by Waititi, but this time around he also had the job of writing the movie.
Love and Thunder will star once again Hemsworth, Portman, Thompson, Alexander, and Waititi. Joining this time around is Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher; and Russell Crowe as Zeus. Additionally, the Guardians of the Galaxy are featured in the film, with Chris Pratt, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper reprising their respective roles as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, Mantis, Drax the Destroyer, Nebula, Groot, and Rocket, alongside Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri. Goldblum reprises his role as the Grandmaster from Ragnarok.
Look for the Capes and Tights review of Love and Thunder following its release.
Check our conversation with Paul Eaton of Galactic Comics and Collectibles on Variant Comic Covers.
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