People’s understanding of Norse myths has become murky due to the many inspired films and stories.
With the introduction of a female Thor in the Marvel cinematic universe (MCU), people are curious – did the myths even have such a concept?
There was no female Thor in Norse mythology. There was also no account of another wielder of Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, besides the god and his sons, who are to inherit it.
In mainstream comics, worthy people can wield the hammer and Thor’s power, but this concept is nonexistent in Norse myths.
Thor: Love and Thunder will be introducing a female Thor through Jane Foster. However, the MCU deviated from Norse myths a long time ago.
This article will provide more information about the god of thunder, in and out of Norse mythology and MCU myths.
Does Thor Have a Sister in Norse Mythology?
Like other mythologies, most Norse gods are related in one way or another. There are parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
With all that, it’s not surprising that Thor has siblings. However, they are not female.
There is no account of Thor having a sister in Norse mythology. He has brothers, including Vidar, the silent god, and the twins Baldr and Hodr.
Vidar is Thor’s only known full sibling. The twins are the children of Odin and Frigg. He also had other half-brothers, such as Vali.
Baldr is a well-known Norse god. Through Loki’s trickery, Odin and Frigg’s golden child was murdered using a mistletoe. H
odr, his blind twin, was tricked by Loki into hitting Baldr with an object their mother failed to seek protection from. [1]
Meanwhile, Vidar is known for avenging Baldr’s death. [2]
Unlike the MCU movies, Loki is not Thor’s sibling, whether half, full, or adopted.
As the son of Farbauti, a giant, and Laufey, a possible goddess, he has no relation to the god of war and thunder.
Hela or Hel, another of Odin’s children in the MCU, is actually Loki’s daughter in Norse myths. Thus, she, too, is not an actual sibling of Thor.
Thor also has children, both male and female.
His sons, Magni and Móði, are said to inherit the famous Mjölnir after Ragnarok, making them the only other known wielders of the mighty hammer. [3]
Is Jane Foster a Valkyrie in Thor?
In the MCU, the Valkyries are an elite group of warrior women. They directly serve Odin as his special force.
One of the Valkyries’ most notable missions from Odin was preventing Hela from escaping Hel.
This did not fare well, as the Valkyries, except for one, were all massacred. [4]
With one sole survivor, Brunhilde, it seems that the Valkyries will end at some point.
But the Marvel comics will reveal that a new generation of Valkyries may begin in the character of Jane Foster.
Jane Foster is not yet a Valkyrie based on the already released MCU Thor movie series. However, the Marvel comics reveal that becoming a Valkyrie is part of her storyline.
In the War of the Realms, she is asked by Brunhilde if she wants to become a Valkyrie, and she agrees.
While perhaps better known as Thor’s mortal lover, Jane Foster is more than just that. She is a brilliant and brave woman with many qualities that make her fit to be a goddess and a Valkyrie.
MCU Foster was a brilliant astronomer who bravely helped the brash Thor in the journey to becoming worthy of Mjölnir again and even survived the possession of the Aether.
Thor: Love and Thunder features her wielding Mjölnir as the new Thor.
However, Thor’s MCU movie series is quite behind and different from the comics. [5]
In the comics, Foster, a doctor and not an astronomer, faces more adversaries and challenges:
- She was hypnotized by Loki.
- She was rejected by Odin.
- She dealt with Thor’s many adversaries.
- She merged with Sif.
- She lost custody of her child after a divorce.
- She battled breast cancer.
- She became Thor and wielded Mjölnir.
- She protected Earth.
- She became an Avenger.
- She died and was then revived.
- She became a Valkyrie.
In the War of the Realms, Foster joined Thor to fight against Malekith. She used a reforged Mjölnir to defeat Malekith and then take out one of King Laufey’s eyes.
Then, Mjolnir returned to Foster’s hand. The hammer fell apart when it reached her but not for good. It reformed into a vambrace, an armor for one’s forearm.
The spirits of the fallen Valkyrie, including Brunhilde, reacted to Foster’s vambrace, and they appeared to her.
Brunhilde then asked Foster if she wished to be a Valkyrie, and she agreed.
It is still an exciting mystery whether and how the MCU movies would include such a plot twist in their future movies.
However, with the upcoming transformation of Foster as Thor, her role as Valkyrie may not be that far off.
Why Wasn’t Natalie Portman in All the Thor Movies?
Natalie Portman portrays Jane Foster in the MCU Thor movie series. However, of the four movies that are part of the series, she was noticeably absent in one: Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
If Portman was able to be part of Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), why was she absent in the third installment? It turns out the reason is practical. [6]
Natalie Portman revealed that she wasn’t in all Thor movies because her character’s role was not crucial in Thor: Ragnarok.
The said movie occurs mostly outside Earth, while Jane Foster is on Earth. The few scenes that include the human world do not include Foster.
Portman’s absence from the MCU wouldn’t last for long. A brief glimpse of Jane Foster was provided in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
More of Jane Foster, and thereby Natalie Portman, will be seen in the latest installment of Thor’s series – Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). [7]
It is set to be released in July 2022. Foster will then be playing a central role as the new goddess of thunder and wielder of the mighty Mjölnir.
Conclusion
There are many deviations between popular culture and Norse mythologies. Norse myths may inspire modern Thor, but it is hardly the same.