Thor: Love and Thunderseems to be teasing and hinting that the film will adapt the Jane Foster cancer storyline from the comics. The character of Jane Foster was first introduced under the alias ‘The Mighty Thor’ inThor #1back in October 2014.
However, Foster’s identity remained a complete mystery and secret to others at the time. When it was finally revealed that Jane Foster was the one who was manipulating the power of the God of Thunder, another secret was also confirmed that no one saw coming: she was also diagnosed with cancer. To make matters even more heartbreaking, every single time Foster would use the hammer Mjölnir, her body would instantly reject and release all the chemotherapy treatment she had previously undergone. After previously not being a part ofThor: Ragnarok,Natalie Portman announcedto many fans' relief that she would be making a comeback to the belovedThorfranchise inThor: Love and Thunder. The new sequel is helmed by director Taika Waititi, and it’s supposed to showcase Foster’s transition into becoming the Mighty Thor. Waititi has revealed that he relied heavily on Jason Aaron’sThorcomics as a main source of inspiration for the film.
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The confirmation that Portman’s Foster would be diagnosed with cancer inThor: Love and Thunderwas illuminated through a very detailed description of the symbolism behind her costume, and in particular, her ‘The Mighty Thor’ helmet. In an online listing onEaglemoss, there is a replica of The Mighty Thor helmet worn by Foster in the film. The description reads, “suffering from cancer, astrophysicist and Thor’s ex-girlfriend, Jane Foster, visited New Asgard and her life was changed forever. Mysteriously, the broken pieces of Mjolnir, the hammer of the thunder god,transformed her into the Mighty Thorand gifted her the superpowers of Thor, to battle threats internal and external. Wielding Mjolnir herself, she had become a godly protector and a new hero was born!"
The description goes on to highlight that Portman’s Foster will face more than one battle inThor: Love and Thunder. “With the help of Thor, Valkyrie, and the Guardians of the Galaxy, theMighty Thor was faced by the powerful Gorr, the God Butcher,” the description reads. “With divine powers himself, Gorr was driven to rid the universe of gods wherever he found them. Battling cancer in her human form and Gorr in her godly form, Jane Foster was embroiled in an epic struggle with plenty of love and thunder!”
During Aaron’s tenure on theThorcomics, Jane Foster’s cancer diagnosis was first revealed. Yet, until now, many fans still were left wondering whether or not the film would also be implementing and taking onJane Foster’s cancer storylineas a crucial foundation point for the plot. Given that Waititi has been known to take more of a comical, light-hearted approach when it comes to his films, it’s quite surprising that he has chosen to take on the more serious, darker elements that come with falling ill.
If the film does in fact remain very true to the comics, then every time Foster uses her powers, she will get sicker, which makes the feasibility of her immortality hit that much closer.Thor: Love and Thundercould very well be serving as closure for many fans, to give Thor and Jane one last romantic moment together.
Thor: Love and Thunderis scheduled to be released in theaters on June 08, 2025.
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