We're sure most of you have seen Thor: Love and Thunder at this stage, but just in case, here's your spoiler warning!
During the Marvel Studio sequel's post-credits scene, we were introduced to the legendary warrior known as Hercules (played by Tedd Lasso's Brett Goldstein) when his father, Zeus (Russell Crowe), tasks him with hunting down the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) and taking revenge for what went down in Omnipotence City.
It's assumed that the Prince of Power will factor in to a fifth Thor movie in some capacity, but if that is the plan, director Taika Waititi doesn't seem to know anything about it! In fact, the filmmaker suggested that Hercules' introduction may be setting up something else entirely when he spoke during a fan screening Q&A for the movie.
“And then [Louis D’Esposito?] is like, we’re gonna introduce Hercules, and that made no sense to me. I didn’t even know that was a character in Marvel, but apparently it is, and um... It was good, I know it’s opening up a whole new thing, which I won’t be invited to come and be a part of, but I’m happy for everyone who loves Greek Gods.”
Based on Waititi's comments, it certainly sounds like he didn't have much say when it came to the hero's debut in Love and Thunder's stinger and won't be directly involved with his next appearance. Could we see Hercules take the lead in his own movie or Disney+ series involving other Greek Gods/Olympians? That's one way to read Waititi's response, but who know what Kevin Feige and co. are planning.
Maybe we'll learn more at D23 next month!
Thor: Love and Thunder finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
Directed by Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, Thor: Love and Thunder is now playing in theaters.