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Early on, the Thor movies got a pretty bad reputation. Fans often undervalue the first one and consider its 2013 sequel among the weakest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But Taika Waititi brought such fresh energy to 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. Now Chris Hemsworth needs a new story arc. So it’s the perfect time to segue into Asgardians of the Galaxy.

Chris Hemsworth at a 'Thor: Ragnarok' screening
Chris Hemsworth at a ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ screening | Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Chris Hemsworth said he’ll stay in MCU after ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

For the most part, MCU heroes have been limited to a solo trilogy before being relegated to an ensemble player. Even Robert Downey Jr. — despite his popularity — only starred in three Iron Man movies. So fans expected Thor: Ragnarok to be Hemsworth’s final lead role. Yet, Marvel is poised to break that unspoken rule with Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022.

Now, according to Variety, even that movie won’t be Hemsworth’s final appearance in the MCU. The actor seems interested in playing Thor for the foreseeable future. And considering how much the God of Thunder has evolved from one film to the next, Hemsworth seems willing to explore new sides of Thor. But he definitely needs a new direction after his next film.

‘Asgardians of the Galaxy’ feels like the next natural step for the movies

Thor: Love and Thunder will see Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster become Mighty Thor. Since her character will likely take Hemsworth’s place among the Avengers, the original Thor will need a new home. That’s where the Asgardians of the Galaxy comes into play. 

In 2018, Marvel Comics released the first issue of the Asgardians of the Galaxy comic. The titular superhero team was marketed as a replacement for the Guardians of the Galaxy. And it’s easy to see the MCU following suit. James Gunn has confirmed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be the last adventure for that version of the team.

So with the Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy series both nearing their likely ends, Asgardians of the Galaxy could serve as a mash-up of them both. Notably, Valkyrie — played in Thor: Ragnarok by Tessa Thompson — is a key member of the Asgardians of the Galaxy in the comics.

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‘Avengers: Endgame’ already teased at such a direction for the MCU

Besides, the MCU feels like it has been leaning in this direction for a while. Thor: Ragnarok already brought that series much closer in tone to the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. And the last two Avengers movies proved Hemsworth has hilarious chemistry with the Guardians.

Avengers: Endgame even dropped a reference to the Asgardians of the Galaxy. With Thor, Valkyrie, and some Guardians, the MCU could find itself with an exciting new team. This approach would keep Hemsworth involved and inject new life into both the Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy series.

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