This week, Marvel Comics presents Thor: Love and Thunder with Natalie Portman as Jane Foster as Mjolnir, wielding Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. But how can Jane possibly become our new Thor? The answer lies within Marvel Comics’ inspirations.
Portman’s return as Jane Foster was first announced at Marvel’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. Love and Thunder, the fourth movie worthy of Thor’s name, not only brings back Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and director Taika Waititi but also Portman – this time wielding both the title and hammer of Ms. Foster herself!
At SDCC 2019, Waititi introduced Portman and she took the stage, mentioning a comic book storyline he’d been reading while Thor: Ragnarok was in production: Jason Aaron’s run of Thor.
Stay tuned to find out who Jane Foster is in the comics, why she takes up Thor’s hammer, what happened to Thor in Aaron’s book and what else we might see in Thor: Love and Thunder. (In both comics and this article, Thor, son of Odin is referred to as Odinson for clarity.)
How Does Jane Foster Become Thor?
Masked jane Twitter Foster has been part of the Thor comic books since the 1960s. In her original incarnation, Jane was a nurse who later became a doctor and worked alongside Dr. Donald Blake–Thor’s mortal form–for many years. Jane has been Thor’s longtime love interest, though they had an on-again, off-again relationship similar to what we see in Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Through it all though, Jane remained an ardent ally to both Thor and other Marvel heroes alike until being diagnosed with breast cancer in Thor: God of Thunder #12.
At the start of Original Sin in 2014, Nick Fury whispered something from the Watcher into Thor Odinson’s ear. Years would pass before this revelation was revealed to the real world, yet its effect was profound and long-lasting. Odinson dropped his hammer, unable to pick it up again no matter how hard he tried; Thor was no longer worthy.
As Frost Giants unleashed a devastating attack on Earth, a dark figure bent down and picked up that hammer as it called to her–a woman—and gave it to her instead: Thor! She became known as Thunder.
Thor’s face was hidden, her identity unknown to everyone – even Odin himself – until we learned that Jane Foster had been chosen to wield the hammer.
Jane Foster Thor’s Powers
When masked jane twitter became Thor, she gained superhuman strength, speed, endurance, flight, and lightning powers just like Odinson had. However, when she first picked up the hammer she wasn’t quite sure how to use them; though her years with Odinson provided some clues. As Jane flew to Earth after becoming Thor in order to battle Frost Giants on Earth she felt Mjolnir guide her both during flight and battle.
Her connection to the hammer only strengthened over time. She could alter Mjolnir’s direction mid-thrower, something, not even Odinson had the capacity for; something he noticed himself during their first battle together. At that moment, Thor understood why the hammer chose him – a worthy hero – and trusted its judgment.
Marvel Phase 4 Comic-Con Panel
The Mighty Thor’s Enemies
Jane was quickly thrust into pivotal battles, much like Odinson had done. Her first encounter was against Malekith the Dark Elf and the Frost Giants, followed quickly by Absorbing Man, Titania, and The Destroyer from Asgard.
Every time Jane took up Thor’s hammer, however, the transformation rid her body of chemotherapy treatment–a “poison.” As such, time would become her greatest enemy as Jane’s physical body continued to fail.
Thor would go on to play an integral role in the Secret Wars (2015), engaging a power-hungry Odin one-on-one, joining the Avengers, and teaming up with Doctor Strange until her transformation into Thor was complete and she faced off against an enemy that only she could defeat – the All-Father and Odinson! Her final transformation sealed her fate; though Strange warned against it, Jane completed it nonetheless and died as a true hero by wielding Thor’s power once more through their combined might.
The Goddess of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
We’ll have to see the movie to find out exactly how much of this comic book history will be included in Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Thor. Whether Jane is diagnosed with cancer (as some merchandise has indicated) or Hemsworth’s Thor is suddenly deemed unworthy (which seems unlikely given his storyline in Avengers: Endgame), will soon be revealed. But no matter why Portman picks up that hammer in Thor: Love and Thunder, she will remain worthy.
Note: This story originally ran in July 2019, and was updated on July 5, 2022. Be sure to read our Thor: Love and Thunder review next
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