Is Natalie Portman Coming Back in the MCU in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'?

Yes! Natalie Portman will be reprising her role as Jane Foster and will become the Mighty Thor in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'. This comes with the news that the original Mjolnir has been reconstituted and found worthy of Jane Foster.

How Will They Explain Where She Has Been the Whole Time in the MCU?

This revelation marks a significant comeback for Jane Foster, who will not only fill the role of the primary hero in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' but also aid Thor in his fight against Gorr the God Butcher. In the MCU, Jane Foster will use the repaired Mjolnir and become the Mighty Thor, a nod to the comic book storyline where Jane Foster gained the power of Thor in a similar manner to how Captain America received his.

Mjolnir's Shattered and Reconstituted

During 'Thor: Ragnarok', Mjolnir was shattered into a million pieces by Hela. These shards were found on the spot where Odin died, and where the Red Skull discovered the Tesseract hidden by the Asgardians. In the upcoming film, Jane Foster, now researching the fragments of Mjolnir, will find herself worthy and capable of wielding the magical hammer.

Why Is This Coming Back to Jane Foster?

The magical enchantment is still attached to Mjolnir, which again reconstituted itself in the presence of someone worthy. In the comics, the scenario was that Jane Foster had contracted cancer, and Mjolnir sensed her worthiness, thus granting her the power of Thor. This magical hammers' enchantment can indeed be discerned in several comic book storylines, including 'Foster and Odinson argued about honorifics and Magical Hammers' in 'Marvel Comics'.

Fictional Precedents and Real-Life Concerns

Some fans may question how this makes sense in the context of the MCU timeline. However, it's important to note that the MCU often takes creative liberties with these types of explanations. For example, between 'Iron Man 3' and 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', Pepper Potts vanished without anyone truly questioning her prolonged absence. Similarly, during the events leading up to the 'Snap', Jane Foster was also missing, only returning after Tony Stark noted her absence.

Does Natalie Portman Have Issues with Disney or Marvel?

Natalie Portman did experience some reservations with her role in the MCU, as she found her character to be somewhat boring and felt she was often reduced to a love interest. However, Taika Waititi, the director of 'Thor: Love and Thunder', has clearly stated that Natalie Portman will have a similar arc to the recent comic book storyline, which interests her enough to return to the role.

Conclusion

The revival of Jane Foster’s role as the Mighty Thor in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' solidifies her as a key character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and her presence is eagerly awaited. The explanation of Mjolnir’s reconstitution serves as a satisfying and magical touch to the story, staying true to the rich mythological and comic book roots of the property.