Thor: Love& Thunder | Taika Waititi on Natalie Portman's return to MCU

After making a cameo appearance in Avengers: Endgame Natalie Portman is finally set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with their upcoming film Thor: Love and Thunder which is all set to hit the theatres on November 5, 2021. In one of the most exciting announcements from this year's San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that the Taika Waititi directorial will feature Natalie Portman as the first female Thor. The Academy-Award winning actor will be seen picking up Thor's hammer aka Mjolnir as the 'Goddess of Thunder' in the fourth instalment of the franchise.

READ | MCU Phase 4: Natalie Portman Returns To The Franchise, To Pick Up Thor's Hammer In 'Thor: Love And Thunder'

While Marvel fans are overwhelmed with Natalie Portman's return to the franchise, recently Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi revealed how he convinced the Oscar awardee to come back to the MCU. Talking about the same, he said he didn't have to do much but just made the character interesting. He said after playing 'an Earthling who’s just into science' in two of these big movies consecutively, the character demanded a change. He said it was time for Natalie Portman aka Jane Froster to step up and finally become a superhero. Since the story deviation is also a part of another parallel MCU as well as the comics, the character development would have eventually happened. 

READ | In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Waititi Attempts His Boldest Balancing Act

Natalie Portman's Journey in the MCU

Natalie Portman who debuted in MCU as Thor's love interest Jane Foster in 2011's Thor, reprised her role in the film's sequel Thor: The Dark World in 2013. She was last mentioned in Avengers: Age of Ultron, following which she was neither mentioned nor seen making any appearances in the Marvel ventures, before her cameo in Avengers: Endgame.   

READ | Taika Waititi Opens Up On Why He Played Adolf Hitler In 'Jojo Rabbit'

Thor: Love and Thunder

Marvel Studios announced Thor: Love and Thunder while unveiling their line-up for Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Natalie Portman will join Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in the upcoming venture.

Talking about the upcoming venture, director Taika Waititi reportedly said, "That storyline is incredible is full emotion, love, and thunder and introduces for the first time female Thor." While describing the fate of Thor after 'Avengers: Endgame', Waititi reportedly said, "He's heading to the 7-11 for a little Netflix subscription and at this point, he might be on the couch, who knows."

READ | 'Thor 4 Could Feature Jane Foster's Cancer Storyline': Taika Waititi

Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth who will reprise his role as the Asgardian warrior was last seen jetting off into space with the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of 'Avengers: Endgame'. While he was next expected to be seen in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' there was no announcement of the same in the Phase 4 film list of Marvel Studios.