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Thorwas the most important movie in Phase 1 of theMarvel Cinematic Universe , specially when look at how it set up Phase 2 and beyond . Thormarked the fourth motion-picture show in the superhero franchise following twoIron Manmovies andThe unbelievable Hulk . star Chris Hemsworth at the titular lead character , Thorwas pursue byCaptain America : The First Avengerbefore many of the core heroes banded together forThe Avengers .
Kenneth Branagh directedThorand brought a new kingdom into focusing with a segment of the film set on Asgard . apart from the reverent figure , Asgard was made up of a race of extraterrestrials that possess engineering and powers that resemble magic . At the center of the film was the heritor to the Asgardian pot , who was exiled to Earth after run against his founder ’s ordering . Thoralso introduced other race among the coltsfoot and render a better coup d’oeil into how S.H.I.E.L.D. in truth operated .
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As a whole , Phase 1 of the MCU was fundamental in setting the tint of the franchise . The first few installments debuted the essential physique before the first team - up movie in 2012 . And stage 2 began steering the narrative towards the Infinity Saga , but that would n’t have been possible without the tone ending ofThorand the room the movie put the Marvel Universe in the spotlight for the first time .
Thor Set Up The Marvel Universe For Phase 2
For the first time in the MCU , Thorexpanded on the various conflicts on Earth by insert the existence of Asgard . The mysterious world body was home to the people humans viewed as deities of Norse mythology . Among them was Thor Odinson , the God of Thunder , who was set to take the throne as King of Asgard from his father , Odin ( Anthony Hopkins ) . After Thor reignite tenseness with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim , Odin banished Thor to Earth after stripping away his force . Not only did Thor encounter Earth for the first time but S.H.I.E.L.D. was given a taste of other earthly concern within the beetleweed .
While in New Mexico , Thor receive astrophysicistDr . Jane Foster(Natalie Portman ) , as well as her team . Thor took time to describe his homeworld to her , explaining the being of theNine Realmsand the Bifrost Bridge , the passage between public . The celluloid focalize on Asgard , Jotunheim , and Midgard ( Earth ) , but just the citation of other realms proved that the focussing of the MCU would soon be expanding in Phase 1 while shaping Phase 2 .
WhereasIron Man , Iron Man 2,andThe Incredible Hulkfocused on threats stemming from skill and engineering on Earth , Thoropened the door to otherworldly business . Even though the Bifrost was damaged , it was obvious that conflict would be manoeuvre to Earth . That fare in the hands ofLoki(Tom Hiddleston ) when he begin theBattle of New YorkinThe Avengers . The evergrowing MCU universe then became a key focus of Phase 2 and beyond . The follow - up phase expand on tenseness among the realm while introducing the Guardians of the Galaxy as well as Ultron , artificial intelligence that was powered by the Mind Stone .
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The Avengers Wouldn’t Have Worked Without Thor
Not only didThorexplain the vast sizing of the beetleweed , but the flick also set up the first major MCU consequence with 2012’sThe Avengers . Loki terminate at nothing to prove his worthiness , but in doing so , he made himself an enemy to the Asgardians . TheThorpost - credits scene revealed that the God of Thunder ’s adopted brother had his sights set on theTesseract , the watercraft holding the Space Stone . His connection to the cube was afterwards explained inThe Avengerswhen he was sent by the leader of the extraterrestrial race promise the Chitauri to obtain the Tesseract . In exchange , Loki would be award an army to conquer Earth . The straight master copy of the Chitauri wound up beingThanos , a warlord on the hunt to acquire all six Infinity Stones .
With Loki and Dr. Erik Selvig ( Stellan Skarsgård ) responsible for opening the wormhole , allow the extraterrestrials to reach Earth , it was made unclouded that Thor ’s plaster cast served as the anchor to elementary dispute . Of course , the movie was headline by the Avengers teaming up for the first time , but it would n’t have been necessary without many of the characters being first introduced inThor . The Battle of New York marked the first time that several member of the Avengers face enemies that were n’t human . Furthermore , the Chitauri invasion go out a mark on Earth , in gain to the Avengers , who deal with the radioactive dust in the difference of Phase 2 and beyond , ultimately setting them on the path towardsAvengers : Infinity WarandAvengers : Endgame .
Thor Was The First Truly Different Superhero Movie
Superhero film were surely nothing new when the MCU launch in 2008 . That said , Thorwas the first installment set in that writing style that pop the question a wider scope of the universe beyond Earth . Characters from Marvel , DC Comics , as well as other franchise were adapted for live - action well before the MCU . Sam Raimi’sSpider - Mantrilogy and Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knightfilms define the tonicity for modern - day superhero adaptation . Even though they enter compelling villains and concepts , they were still position on Earth . The first three installment of the MCU followed the same formula , butThorpurposely broaden the focal point .
The 2011 flick effectively brought TV audience to Asgard while also lay out up and explaining other branch of the greater universe . Thor allowed the MCU to travel back and forth between realms to tie - in storyline for the narrative ’s bigger pictures . And the God of Thunder ’s use in the galaxy paved the path for other galactic beings to at long last link up the fold . There was a sense of coherency thanks in part to the elements shown inThor . The film also opened the eyes of looker by representing the mind - flex mythos behind some of the most interesting comic book characters . So withoutThor , it ’s difficult to say if a movie likeGuardians of the Galaxywould’ve function - or been made at all .
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Thor Can Still Shape The MCU In Phase 4
As the only stay original fiber to get another solo subsequence in Phase 4,Thor : Love and Thunderhas the chance to accomplish another reshaping of the MCU . Thor can become the mucilage that hold the original squad while also setting the foundation for the fresh multiplication of heroes to take the pencil lead in Phase 5 and beyond . His fellow Asgardians now call Earth home , so his focus is on protecting his people as well as the well - being of free race in the galaxy . The nextThorsequel can show how the MCU will go through new storylines while hang on to some of the franchise ’s fan - favorite figures who started it all .
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