Natalie Portman has been cast as Thor in new Marvel sequel

The Mighty Thor is coming back to the Marvel Universe, this time played by real-life goddess Natalie Portman.

At the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con last week, Marvel Studios confirmed that Portman will reprise the role of Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder. True to Jane’s character arc in the comics, Portman will also appear as Thor, Goddess of Thunder.

Natalie Portman will be returning to the Marvel Universe in Thor: Love and Thunder, taking up the hammer as Thor, Goddess of Thunder.

Portman previously played Jane in Thor and Thor: The Dark World before leaving the series. Delighted to be returning as the goddess, she told the crowd at Comic-Con “I’ve always had hammer envy.”

The actress confirmed the news via Instagram, posting a picture of herself at the event saying “So thrilled to share the news with you today at #sdcc2019 that I’ll be returning to the @marvel #mcu as female Thor with legends @taikawaititi @tessamaethompson and @chrishemsworth,” also jokingly adding, “Remember this as the before picture for when I get jacked.”

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 So thrilled to share the news with you today at #sdcc2019 that I’ll be returning to the @marvel #mcu as female Thor with legends @taikawaititi @tessamaethompson and @chrishemsworth. (Remember this as the before picture for when I get jacked)
        	
        	

			
			
				
				

				
				
			
			 
A post shared by  Natalie Portman (@natalieportman) on Jul 20, 2019 at 11:42pm PDT
 

While the plot specifics for Thor: Love and Thunder have been kept under wraps, director Taika Waititi said he drew inspiration from The Mighty Thor storyline by Jason Aaron, which introduced a female Thor to the comics. He added that Portman was clearly the only option to take on the role.

Thor: Love and Thunder is due to arrive in theatres in November 2021.