Natalie Portman on her role in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'; 'It's incredible to explore female superhero'

Oscar-winner Natalie Portman credits Marvel Studios for casting a five-foot-three frame actor like her in towering role of Mighty Thor in upcoming "Thor: Love and Thunder", an opportunity star says changed way she perceived superhero films. Portman returns as Thor's ex-girlfriend and astrophysicist Jane Foster in upcoming Taika Waitit directorial, which will see her appear as Mighty Thor in possession of mystical hammer Mjolnir.

"I was especially grateful to everyone's imagination to cast a 5.3 actor in a six-foot role. That takes a real belief. Probably it is t something I will get to do again. It was a great challenge," actor said during a global press conference about film. Set following events of “Avengers: Endgame”, "Thor: Love and Thunder" will see Asgardian God in search of inner peace, but he must return to action and recruit Valkyrie, Korg, and Jane Foster, who has become Mighty Thor, to stop Gorr God Butcher from eliminating all gods.

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is returning as titular superhero alongside Tessa Thompson who reprises her role as Valkyrie. Actor Christian Bale plays villain Gorr. Portman, 41, said film gave her to explore a character that could convert her weakness into strength. "It's incredible to explore a female superhero that could be quite vulnerable and weak and find strength in that and be more like a human. I could relate to her personally," she added.

Playing a superhero also gave her renewed respect for what her co-stars Hemsworth and Thompson have been doing for so many years. actor, who had to go through physical training to bulk up for her role, said she was unaware about hard work team had to put in while creating se movies.

"It just gave me renewed respect for what Chris has been doing for over a decade, Tessa has been doing because I see how much work goes into it. I don't think I was aware of it when I was in first one ('Thor'). "I didn't see everything that went on behind scenes, w when I got an insight into all of choreography, training and everything, I was like, 'Wow, this is a triple job of what I was doing back n," she said. Thompson said returning to franchise was an amazing experience as Waititi could create a story that falls somewhere in between "ridiculousness" and "pathos".

"What's so fun about this film, in particular, is that it holds between sort of ridiculousness, fun and pathos. That is something that Taika has always done really well in his films," she said. “Thor: Love and Thunder” is produced by Kevin Feige-led Marvel Studios. For Feige what connects audiences most to Thor franchise is lead star Hemsworth's inherent funny side.

"re's fun to Chris Hemsworth, and Taika certainly brought ar dimension. It was always re within Chris... So, audience responds to that." Without divulging any future plans about 'Thor' franchise, producer said Marvel comics are full of great stories about character and y have t yet explored m all.

"And if we look at comics as our guide, re are plenty of or incarnations of Thor that we have yet to see," he added. Feige also teased that Marvel fans can expect some big anuncements at San Diego Comic-Con next month. "We'll be at Comic-Con next month, which we're excited about," he said about returning to event after three years. "We are excited to go and talk about future." “Thor: Love and Thunder” will be released in India in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam on July 7.

Im: Twitter/@NatalieHrshlag