This 3-Year-Old MCU End Credits Scene Likely Spoils Chris Hemsworth’s Next Stop After Avengers: Secret Wars

When fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe wonder where the larger story might take Chris Hemsworth’s character, they may need to look backwards to Thor: Love and Thunder. Specifically, the end-credits scene in the film where Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster arrives in Valhalla, the traditional Norse nether realm, after her death. Some MCU fans worry that Thor won’t make it out of Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars alive, but even if that’s the case, his story can continue and explore this plane of existence. There are a couple of reasons why fans fear these next two team-up films will be fatal for the God of Thunder.

Chris Hemsworth is in his second decade playing the character, meaning there’s certainly less time ahead of him in the role than behind him. However, perhaps most telling is that Marvel Comics is killing Thor in its continuity, and while not a direct parallel, the MCU takes its narrative clues from the books. Still, rumors abound that Marvel Studios and Chris Hemsworth are working on a fifth solo film for the character, allowing him to pass the torch, or in this case, the hammer, to a worthy successor. In Love and Thunder, it seemed like Jane Foster was to take up the mantle as the Mighty Thor. Unfortunately, the godly power she possessed only hastened the progression of her cancer. Still, if her story didn’t end in death and continues in Valhalla, the same can be true for the Odinson.

Not Every MCU Hero Will Make It Out of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars Alive

In the Role for Nearly Two Decades, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor Is a Prime Casualty Candidate

Earlier this year, while discussing the back-to-back filming schedule for the two Avengers films, directors Joe and Anthony Russo joked they “may not survive.” While the two brothers behind the camera will likely be fine, the two brothers in Doomsday may not be so lucky. Along with Hemsworth’s Thor, Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as Loki, last seen holding the multiverse together. Doomsday already features more characters than the Russos’ previous efforts with the combined MCU and Fox X-Men universe casts. So, it’s safe to say not every character will make it out alive.

Hemsworth was cast as Thor in 2009 as a mostly unknown actor over Josh Hartnett, Charlie Hunnam, Alexander Skarsgard, Joel Kinnaman, WWE’s Triple H, Kevin McKidd, Tom Hiddleston and his brother Liam.

Despite half the life in the entire universe disappearing at the end of Infinity War, its sequel Endgame, didn’t have that high a body count. Only Natasha Romanov, Vision and Tony Stark gave their lives in the struggle against Thanos. Still, the precedent for Hemsworth to still play Thor even upon death in the new Avengers films is set. From the prequel film Black Widow to the soon-to-premiere Vision Quest and, of course, Robert Downey, Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom, death wasn’t the end for the actors, at least.

Even Chris Evans, who said he’s “happily retired” from the MCU, came back after Endgame closed the book on his version of Steve Rogers. He showed up in Deadpool & Wolverine, reprising his role as Johnny Storm from the early 2000s Fantastic Four film and its sequel. It seems the MCU is the same as other generational franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek or Doctor Who. Every time an actor thinks they are out, the storytelling universe (and, of course, a nice paycheck) pulls them back in.

Marvel Studios Reportedly Wants to Make a Fifth Thor Film, Which Can Still Work

Thor: Love and Thunder Introduced Valhalla, Which Means Death Isn’t an Obstacle

While not officially announced, rumors about Thor 5 circulated more than a year after Love and Thunder debuted. It’s possible these “talks” focused on a deal for the two Avengers films, since his solo movie ended with the traditional Marvel Studios promise, “Thor will return.” Hemsworth would be the first actor to star in a fifth solo film if his contract extends beyond the end of the Multiverse Saga. Baked into the character concept since his inception, Love and Thunder unambiguously showed the God of Thunder can bestow his power to others.

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With so many characters in the team-up films, a solo film would be the best way to set up his successor. While the comics rarely translate directly to the films, the Immortal Thor storyline may be relevant. In a recent issue, Mjolnir passes to Skurge, originally the villainous Executioner who died and remained in Valhalla. In fact, given how Karl Urban’s version of the character met his end in Ragnarök, he could be in the MCU’s version of the afterlife with Jane, Heimdall, his parents, the Warriors Three and any other Asgardian who falls in battle (including, possibly, the original MCU version of Loki).

If Thor does end up meeting his end in Doomsday or Secret Wars, it wouldn’t even be all that sad, given all the familiar faces he will see once again. Save for his introductory film and the first two Avengers movies, Thor’s arc in each MCU story centers on the loss of people he cares about. So, writers Michael Waldron, Stephen McFeely and the Russo brothers could deliver a satisfying final arc for Thor’s time among the land of the living if he sacrifices himself to prevent such a loss, whether it’s a friend or some character upon whom the fate of the multiverse itself rests. The variant of his brother from the Loki series could end up hitting both of those notes.

Setting the Fifth Thor Movie In Valhalla Might Be the Smartest Choice for Marvel Studios

Rather Than Bringing Him Back, the Afterlife Itself Could Be the Film’s Setting

While death retains a level of impermanence in comic book universes in general, any fifth solo film could easily involve some narrative mechanic that takes Thor from Valhalla back to the mortal plane. This would likely happen if Thor 5 is a story about Hemsworth’s character passing on his power to a character already in the MCU or to introduce a fan-favorite character like Beta-Ray Bill, who wielded both Mjolnir and Stormbreaker in the comics. The “Korbinite” hero almost appeared in Ragnarök but was ultimately cut from the film.

However, there’s an even more interesting possibility for Thor 5 that wouldn’t even require some sci-fi reason for the God of Thunder’s resurrection.

The film could conceivably take place almost entirely in Valhalla. Any potential Thor successor could just as easily find their way into this realm. This creates an engine for the plot, seeing this character back to the mortal plane, while creating the opportunity to explore Valhalla, its dangers and possibly other versions of the afterlife, like Hel, Wakanda’s ancestral plane or even the realm of Mephisto.

A story set in Valhalla gives Thor a fitting swan song in the MCU, while also allowing for the return of every character lost along the way. A victory lap for the actors who brought the characters to life, Thor 5 can transcend nostalgia by resolving emotional and character arcs left incomplete. As a setting, the afterlife in the MCU is largely unexplored and rich with possibility. A new character can take up the mantle of Thor from Chris Hemsworth, while still keeping the beloved original Avenger just behind the veil of reality should Marvel Studios need to call on him once again.

The Thor films are streaming with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ and Avengers: Doomsday is in production for release in theaters on December 18, 2026.