The Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet to introduce the Asgardian Royal Family in its entirety. While we have seen the main players with Odin, Thor, Loki, Hela, Odin and Frigga, there is still a multitude of members of the family that are yet to make an appearance. Thor 5 could be quite the family reunion, if one character is finally introduced into the MCU, after being snubbed 4 times in development from making his onscreen debut.
Balder the Brave has been a mainstay in Marvel Comics, but it is about time that the character makes an appearance in the MCU. As Thor has seemingly lost his entire family in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it might be in the best interests of the character that this long-lost sibling is finally introduced properly into the MCU.
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Balder the Brave is already in the MCU
Balder the Brave is yet to make his debut but has already appeared in Loki Season 2. While not a living, breathing character, Balder was referenced in Episode 3 of Loki Season 2, when Mobius and Loki ground themselves in a state fair where Victor Timely was performing. Balder’s wooden statue was displayed with Odin and Thor, serving as a reminder to Loki about his place in the pantheon. While Loki was pointing out that no one knows Balder, Mobius insisted that people in the TVA, at least, refer to him by his epithet in the comics, Balder the Brave.
It is only a matter of time before the character is finally introduced in full force in the MCU. The character was slated to make an appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, played by none other than Daniel Craig. But since the actor backed out, the cameo remained unseen.
Balder has the distinction of being the Asgardian god of light, whose death is supposed to directly lead to Ragnarok. Balder’s parentage has been widely disputed in the comics, with multiple storylines claiming that the character is the son of Odin but not Frigga, an adopted member of the royal court, or Odin and Frigga’s child born out of wedlock.
Thor has another family that has not yet been introduced in the MCU
Even in the comics, Thor is not the eldest child of Odin and Frigga. Angela was the secret child of the All-Father, kidnapped by the inhabitants of the 10th Realm, Heven. Apart from her, Thor has other siblings who are yet to make an appearance in the MCU, like Hermod and Tyr. The Asgardian Royal family might not be the same as they are in the comics, but the mentioning of Balder in Loki raises some eyebrows about the nature of Odin, Frigg and their progeny.
A part of Angela’s identity was adapted for the character of Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. However, this keeps a host of other characters that could make an appearance in Thor 5, whenever it happens. Among his missing family members is also Cul Borson, Odin’s brother and the Asgardian God of Fear.
Cul Borson serves as an antagonist for Thor and his Asgardian allies and could make a great reflection of Thor in the MCU. Given that Hercules is hot on the tails of the Asgardian after the events of Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor might find himself facing off against the villain trying to take over Asgard, of which he will be king after Odin’s death.
