Thor’s future in the MCU after Thor: Love and Thunder is uncertain, but a new theory suggests that Marvel Studios might have already debuted the perfect replacement for the Asgardian God of Thunder. Chris Hemsworth has portrayed Thor since his eponymous solo movie in 2011, and has become one of the most important and central characters in the MCU since then. Despite being a founding member of the Avengers and one of the MCU’s longest-running heroes, Thor’s solo movies haven’t always performed well, leaving the MCU’s next steps with him unclear.

Although the clock may be ticking for Chris Hemsworth’s Thor himself, there is still speculation about a possible Thor 5 being developed for the MCU. While this movie hasn’t yet been confirmed by Marvel Studios, Thor 5 could solidify a potential replacement for Thor in the MCU, and while Brett Goldstein’s Greek god Hercules would be a formidable candidate, a new theory posits a different idea. This would lead on perfectly from Thor: Love and Thunder’s polarizing storyline, and keep at least one Hemsworth in the MCU.

Chris Hemsworth’s Future As Thor Is Unclear After Love & Thunder

Thor: Love & Thunder Didn’t Perform Well With Audiences & Critics Alike

Despite being the second-highest-grossing Thor movie in the MCU, 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder was met with mixed reviews, with many considering it to be not only the weakest Thor project, but one of the weakest installments in the MCU as a whole. While these concerns aren’t shared by everyone, it could be enough to put Chris Hemsworth’s future as Thor in jeopardy, possibly ending Thor 5 before it even begins. The only sign that Hemsworth will be returning to the MCU so far is the “Thor will return” moment at the end of Love and Thunder.

Director Taika Waititi and Hemsworth himself revealed that seeing “Thor will return” came as a surprise to them. This perhaps suggests that they had no thoughts that Thor’s story would continue after Love and Thunder, even though the Phase 4 movie set up several storylines that would presumably include Thor, such as his battle with Hercules, the debut of Valhalla and the resurrection of Gorr the God Butcher’s daughter, Love, who was adopted by Thor. The latter has become the subject of a new theory, hinting that Hemsworth doesn’t need to return as Thor at all.

Love Could Be The MCU’s Thor Girl: Theory Explained

Tarene’s Thor Girl Was First Introduced To Marvel Comics In 2000

A new theory posed by Reddit user Responsible_Quiet686 suggests that Thor’s adoptive daughter, Love, could be the key to replacing the God of Thunder in the MCU. The theory notes that Love could be the MCU’s version of Tarene, an alien being from Marvel Comics who transforms herself into an Asgardian Goddess and assumes the moniker of Thor Girl. Tarene was first seen in 2000’s Thor (Vol. 2) #22, and she becomes Thor’s ally and sidekick after helping the God of Thunder defeat Thanos, who had waged war on her homeworld, chasing a prophecy.

Tarene was at the center of a prophecy in Marvel Comics suggesting that she would one day become a being known as the Designate. The Designate was destined to help evolve sentient beings to the next level of existence. This hasn’t yet happened in Marvel Comics, so it’s unclear what this could entail, but it teases Tarene as being significantly more powerful than practically every other character in the Marvel Universe, just as Thor: Love and Thunder’s Love could be, given her connection to the cosmic entity, Eternity.

Thor: Love & Thunder’s Eternity Debut Could Support This MCU Theory

Love Was Resurrected By Eternity With New Powers In Thor: Love & Thunder

Love, played by Chris Hemsworth’s own daughter, India Hemsworth, didn’t have any superpowers to speak of at the beginning of Thor: Love and Thunder, and she quickly died due to the drought on her homeworld. This kick-starts her father’s war against the universe’s gods, leading him to Eternity, where he plans to wish for all gods to be rendered extinct. Instead, Thor convinces him to wish for Love back, and Eternity grants this wish, resurrecting Gorr’s daughter, but this seems to come with a major twist.

Instead of just bringing Love back to life, Eternity appears to become Love in Thor: Love and Thunder, as her form can be seen with the same starry design as Eternity itself. This means that Love could easily take Tarene’s place as a prophesied all-powerful being, and could even have the ability to grant herself extra abilities, just as Tarene transforms herself into the Asgardian Thor Girl. Love’s connection to Eternity supports the theory that the young hero may be primed to replace Thor in the MCU, and one upcoming team could provide the explanation as to how.

MCU’s Young Avengers Could Get A Huge Power Boost With Love On The Team

Marvel Studios Has Been Setting Up The Young Avengers In Recent Years

While there were a number of young heroes in the MCU prior to Phase 4, the beginning of the Multiverse Saga saw a huge increase in the number of teenage superheroes in action. This spurred theories that the MCU’s Young Avengers team was being teased, and 2023’s The Marvels seemed to finally confirm this team’s formation. While only Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye and Cassie Lang’s Stature have been teased to be Young Avengers, Love, perhaps as Thor Girl, would make a formidable asset to the team.

Currently, there’s been no word on when the Young Avengers might come together in the MCU. There has been speculation of a possible Young Avengers movie, or the team possibly being included in an as-yet-unconfirmed Ms. Marvel season 2. It’s possible the team could also form in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, which could be the perfect place to officially replace Thor with Thor Girl. Love from Thor: Love and Thunder, with her incredible untapped abilities, would make the best replacement for Thor, and would surely continue his legacy fantastically.