How I Would've Done It

Marvel Studios' Thor: The God of Thunder (Originally 'Thor: Love & Thunder)

The reimagined version of Thor: Love & Thunder, titled Thor: The God of Thunder, sets the stage for a darker, more mythic exploration of Thor's character. Gone is the overt comedy, replaced with a somber, grand tale of godhood, loss, and sacrifice. This version digs into the core of who Thor is and what it truly means to be a god in a universe filled with both unimaginable power and crushing tragedy.

The film opens with a montage of Thor alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy. They leap from planet to planet, engaging in skirmishes and adventures. The Guardians' signature banter is present, but Thor remains distant, his mind clearly elsewhere. Star-Lord, this time sporting his comic-accurate helmet and gear, shares a brief, humorous exchange with Thor, but the tone soon shifts to something more introspective. Thor gazes out into space, feeling a mysterious call. This Thor is not the carefree hero of Avengers: Endgame. He's haunted by the losses of Asgard, his family, and the burden of being a god without purpose. There's a sense of restlessness within him—an unshakable feeling that something greater is at play, drawing him away from his current path.

While traveling with the Guardians, Thor receives an urgent message from an old ally: Lady Sif. Sif, having returned after a long absence, informs Thor of a cosmic threat sweeping across the universe—a being known only as the God Butcher. This entity has been hunting down gods from every mythology, leaving entire pantheons decimated. The death toll is staggering. Thor, burdened by his sense of duty and guilt, parts ways with the Guardians, feeling a deeper calling. His journey now leads him back to Earth, seeking guidance from someone he once loved.

Thor's return to Earth is bittersweet. He reconnects with Jane Foster, but this reunion is not the joyous rekindling of a romance. Jane, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, is in the final stages of her battle. Despite her condition, she remains a brilliant, resilient force. Thor, shattered by her illness, offers her divine aid, but Jane refuses, choosing to face her fate with dignity as a mortal. Rather than wielding Mjolnir and becoming a superhero, Jane's role in this version of the story focuses on her intellect. Her knowledge of mythology and science has given her insight into Gorr, the God Butcher. Through her research, she uncovers the tragic history of Gorr—a man whose family perished while the gods stood idly by, leading him on a path of vengeance and destruction. Jane's death is a profound moment. It's quiet, reflective, and grounded in the human experience. Thor is left grieving once more, his failures piling up. But before she dies, Jane leaves behind her research—a detailed journal that proves invaluable to Thor's quest.

Thor, now with a sense of purpose fueled by his love for Jane and the revelations she uncovered, seeks out Valkyrie and Lady Sif. Together, the three warriors journey across the cosmos, tracking Gorr through the remains of fallen gods. Gorr, portrayed as a terrifying and tragic figure, wields the necrosword, a weapon that gives him the ability to slay gods with ease. His nihilistic philosophy is born from the death of his family and his fury at the gods who failed to intervene. Gorr is not just a villain but a symbol of the cruelty of divine power unchecked. He sees the gods as hypocrites—beings who hold immense power but refuse to save those who truly need them. The God Butcher's campaign across the universe is visually stunning but emotionally harrowing. As Thor and his allies catch up to him, they witness firsthand the carnage Gorr leaves in his wake—temples desecrated, gods butchered, entire worlds left in ruin.

The climactic battle occurs on a planet that serves as the final refuge for a group of surviving gods. Thor, Valkyrie, and Sif confront Gorr, but the odds are grim. Gorr, empowered by his rage and the necrosword, proves to be a nearly unstoppable force. The fight is brutal, with Lady Sif being grievously injured, Valkyrie barely holding her own, and Thor himself pushed to his limits. In a breathtaking sequence, Gorr summons an army of undead gods—resurrected beings who now fight at his side. The battle becomes not just a physical confrontation but a cosmic spectacle, as Thor struggles to protect the very beings Gorr seeks to destroy. It's here that we see the full scope of Thor's power as the God of Thunder, unleashing a storm unlike any seen before, but even that may not be enough. Korg and Miek, armed with Asgardian weapons, join the fray, bringing a touch of levity to the otherwise intense battle. But despite their aid, the tide of the battle seems irreversible.

As the battle reaches its peak, Thor, bloodied and beaten, must face Gorr in a final, desperate confrontation. Gorr's philosophy—his hatred of gods and their inaction—hits Thor hard. For a moment, Thor hesitates, reflecting on all he has lost, the people he failed to protect, and the cost of godhood. But Thor, in this moment of crisis, embraces his role not as a king or a warrior, but as a protector. With Valkyrie and the gravely injured Sif by his side, Thor draws upon every ounce of his power, both as a god and as a man who has known true loss. The fight is personal, raw, and emotionally charged. Thor ultimately defeats Gorr, but not with a triumphant blow. It's a somber victory. Gorr, broken and defeated, dies still consumed by his pain and anger. There is no redemption for him, only the bitter satisfaction of having taken so many lives in his vendetta against the gods.

The film closes on a quieter note. Thor, having lost Jane, his people, and many gods, reflects on what it means to be a god. He chooses not to ascend to the throne of Asgard, but instead dedicates himself to the role of protector across the realms, vowing to never again let gods stand idly by while their people suffer. Valkyrie takes on a more prominent leadership role in New Asgard, and Lady Sif, though scarred from her injuries, remains by Thor's side, an unwavering ally. The final shot is of Thor standing atop a cliff, gazing out over the cosmos, the weight of his losses heavy but his purpose clear. He is not just the God of Thunder—he is a god who understands the burden of power and the responsibility that comes with it.