Thor: Love and Thunder is finally rolling out into theaters and, depending on where you live, it's either already playing in a lot of countries or just hours away from arriving as you read this. The film gives us a great deal to discuss, but we know many of you will want to know what happens in those all-important post-credits scenes ASAP.
We can start by telling you that there are two of them; one comes in the middle of the credits and introduces a major new character fans have waited years to see. The second brings back a familiar face from the MCU's past for a touching moment featuring a specific fan-favorite.
It should go without saying that MAJOR SPOILERS will follow from this point on, and we ask that you don't share them in other, unrelated posts across the site.
For our breakdown of Thor: Love and Thunder's two post-credits scenes, hit that NEXT button below!
Return To Olympus
Heading to Olympus to seek out Zeus' help in defeating Gorr the God Butcher, Thor, The Mighty Thor, King Valkyrie, and Korg are surprised to find that he has little to no interest in joining the God of Thunder's powerful team of Gods.
A tense exchange leads to Thor coming to blows with Zeus, but we catch up with Olympus' ruler in the film's mid-credits scene. Attended to by a harem of women, the villain rants about striking back against Thor and making sure the people of Earth once again fear the Gods of Olympus.
However, Zeus won't be the one who takes aim at everyone's favorite Asgardian Avenger; instead, it's his son Hercules, a character fans have waited years to see brought to life on screen.
Continue reading to find out what he looks like and who will play him in the MCU...
Hercules Finally Joins The MCU!
Everyone knows who Hercules is, of course, but the Marvel Universe's version first appeared in the pages of 1965's Journey Into Mystery Annual #1. He has a storied history with Thor that's seen them portrayed as heated rivals and the best of friends.
And, yes, Asgard has gone to war with Olympus in the comics!
While Hercules eventually becomes an Avenger, this version - played by Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein - is being sent by his father to take Thor down. Despite the somewhat unexpected casting choice, Goldstein is decked in a costume that's identical to his comic book counterpart and even wields Hercules' familiar weapon.
With that, the stage is set for Thor vs. Hercules in an eventual Thor 5.
Jane Foster's Final Fate
The second post-credits scene comes right at the very end and offers a resolution to Jane Foster's story arc.
Like in the comics, the MCU's Jane has cancer, and each time she transforms into The Mighty Thor, her condition worsens. While staying in her new God-like form could save her, becoming human again only makes Thor's old flame sicker, and her story ends with the scientist making the ultimate sacrifice to save those threatened by Gorr.
However, her time as Thor, while brief, is recognised by the Asgardian Gods and Jane is welcomed into Valhalla, a realm where Asgard's warriors will, upon their deaths, be resurrected and brought to the mighty halls, where they will live forever in paradise.
Much to our surprise, though, Jane is greeted by a familiar face...
A Familiar Face
Poor Idris Elba had something of a disappointing run in the MCU as Heimdall. An afterthought in Thor and Thor: The Dark World, he made a forgettable cameo appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron before being given a slightly meatier role in Thor: Ragnarok. Just as things were looking up, though, the hero was killed in short order by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
Elba returns as Heimdall in Thor: Love and Thunder's post-credits scene to welcome Jane Foster into Valhalla. It's a cool moment and one that confirms he also got something of a happy ending after the Mad Titan killed him.
Is the door open to Jane returning as The Mighty Thor? Right now, we don't think so. This feels like a farewell for the character, and while many fans would no doubt love to see her stick around, remember that her stint in the comics only lasted a few short years as well (a minuscule period in the decades-old Marvel Universe).
Warriors have been known to return from Valhalla, though, so don't count her out quite yet!