EW – Kevin Feige, the boss man behind Marvel Studios, has described the untitled fourth Avengers movie as “a finale” to the cinematic universe we’ve come to know since the first Iron Man in 2008. With some of the actors’ longstanding contracts finally coming to an end, fans should prepare themselves for the day Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth will bow out of the franchise to make room for new talent.
As confirmed by Hemsworth, that day could be coming for Thor after Avengers 4.
“Contractually, right now — yeah, this is it. I’m done. I won’t be playing the character again,” the actor told USA Today in a new interview for his film 12 Strong. Hemsworth called the seeming end “a scary thought.” He said, “This really seemed like this never-ending thing. And now it’s potentially finishing.”
While the first two Thor solo movies would rank toward the middle or lower end of the MCU movies, the character of Thor has been a favorite of mine since his first appearance on screen. Chris Hemsworth has owned the role and, like virtually every other major casting decision for the MCU, he has been a perfect fit. As sad as I would be to see him move on, I think it would be necessary if Marvel wants to continue with the MCU. They need to keep introducing new characters so they can evolve the team. So from a cinematic universe structure standpoint, this would make sense. Especially since his home is not on Earth. It gives Marvel extra ways to move on from Thor; they don’t necessarily have to kill him off, though I wouldn’t be opposed to that. At least one or two major characters need to die in the next two Avengers movies. And when I say die here, I mean die and stay dead. Not the die and come back or die-but-not-really that they’ve done so often throughout the movies.
On the other hand, though, it’s Marvel so you can never be 100% certain what they’re going to do. Sure, Hemsworth’s current contract might end with Avengers 4, but there’s always the possibility that it gets extended for a movie or two. Personally I would like to see Thor get a hero’s death in Avengers 4 and join his parents Odin and Frigga in Valhalla.
