In an MCU that sorely misses the presence of the original members of the Avengers, Thor stands as the last vestige of phases gone by, being the only Avenger with four solo films to his name, as opposed to the Captain America and Iron Man trilogies. However, given that Chris Hemsworth has played the character for over a decade, and might want to move on to other projects.
Given that Hercules was set up for a fight with Thor in the MCU, it is safe to assume that there will be a Thor 5. However, it could very easily be the last outing for Chris Hemsworth’s version of the character, which might leave a space god-shaped hole in the core lineup of the Avengers. The replacement, however, could be a fan-favourite character that fans have been clamouring to see in the MCU.
Also Read: 5 Avengers As Powerful As Thor We Haven’t Yet Seen In The MCU
Beta Ray Bill could finally make his debut in the MCU
Beta Ray Bill is a character who is long overdue a debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Beta Ray Bill holds the distinction of being worthy of lifting Thor’s hammer, but not being a part of the Asgardian Royal family. While multiple characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can lift the hammer, Beta Ray Bill wowed fans before anybody else by finding himself worthy of lifting Thor’s famed weapon.
Impressed with his virtue and valour, Bill is granted Stormbreaker, a weapon that could rival Mjolnir in strength to fight and Surtr and his minions to save the Cobinites. Ever since then, the character has been a close ally to Thor, even willing to give up his weapon when the God of Thunder found himself unworthy to lift the Mjolnir.
Introducing the character in the MCU will take some back-breaking labour on the part of the writers, given that Mjolnir has been lifted by a multitude of characters outside of the Asgardian family (Captain America, Jane Foster, The Vision), Bill could be the perfect replacement for Thor, if and when Chris Hemsworth wants to hang up the hammer and cape.
Beta Ray Bill almost had a cameo in Thor: Ragnarok
Kevin Feige, after Thor: Ragnarok hit theatres, was keen on revealing a few details about Bill’s involvement in the film. A character that a lot of people consider to be their favourite, it was about time that the character made an appearance in the MCU. However, it seems that was not to be. With regards to this, Feige said:
There was a Beta Ray Bill, but it was so quick that you would have the same complaints that you have now. He was in it a little bit more and it just didn’t do justice. And the feeling is, if you can’t do it justice, do it later.
The character did make it into the film as one of the heads carved on the side of a building in Sakaar. However, Beta Ray Bill’s fans are still waiting for ‘later’. The character might not be as appealing to the mainstream audience to be able to help an entire IP on his shoulder, he must be introduced in a film that has Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in it.
While the character could take up the mantle of Thor, given where the character currently is, it might seem a little unlikely. But that does not mean the fans would shy away from the character’s introduction in the MCU.
