When Thor: Ragnarok was released in 2017, the critical response was overwhelmingly positive. While 2011's Thor was well-received, Thor: The Dark World largely fell flat two years later, so critical acclaim was something new for the MCU's God of Thunder.
Not everyone loved filmmaker Taika Waititi's quirky approach to the character, but Thor: Ragnarok proved to be a hit and excitement for Thor: Love and Thunder was understandably high. After all, as well as featuring Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher, it saw Natalie Portman return as Jane Foster to become the Mighty Thor (two ingredients which should have guaranteed a recipe for success).
Unfortunately, it appears Marvel Studios gave the writer and director too much freedom, resulting in a movie even Chris Hemsworth has said was "too silly" before admitting "I cringe and laugh equally at it."
Waititi recently confirmed he won't helm Thor 5. However, in an interview with Inverse, he revealed that Hemsworth and Marvel Studios are engaged in talks to make a fifth Thor movie.
He'd go on to tell the site he "needed a break from that," adding, "It’s a very draining process working on these films for two and a half years and nonstop." Despite that, he isn't closing the door on working with Marvel Studios again somewhere down the line. "It’s just about when I would be able to fit that in," he admits.
In the Thor: Love and Thunder - The Official Movie Special book released by Titan earlier this year, the writer and director spoke about what he'd like to do with another Thor movie. However, that interview was likely conducted during or right after Love and Thunder wrapped shooting and long before the movie opened to some of the MCU's worst reviews.
"What is left to do to him?" Waititi wondered. "It’s got to be something that feels like it’s carrying on with the evolution of the character, but still in a very fun way and still giving him things to come up against that feel like they’re building on the obstacles that he has to overcome. I don’t think we can have a villain that’s weaker than Hela. I feel like we need to step up from there and add a villain that’s somehow more formidable."
Most fans seem to agree that Waititi moving on from the Thor franchise is for the best and another drastic reinvention for this character is likely on the cards now. What that will look like remains to be seen, though we wouldn't be surprised to see some changes made to both his supporting cast and the overall tone of the series.
Thor: Love and Thunder ended with the introduction of Hercules, so that clash feels like the logical next step. There are still plenty of villains from the comics who the Odinson hasn't crossed paths with, though, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Thor 5 doesn't currently have a confirmed release date.