Major MCU Character Should Return To The Basics In Avengers: Doomsday

Marvel Studios always aims to develop characters whenever they appear in multiple movies or television shows, but that doesn’t always have a positive impact. Heading into Avengers: Doomsday, certain characters showcase that, and there is no one better than Thor. He’s expected to be part of Avengers: Doomsday, but it might be time for Marvel’s approach to Chris Hemsworth’s part to change when the film releases on May 1, 2026.

Thor is one of the old-school characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at this stage, and his personality, powers, and look have all drastically changed throughout that time. However, Avengers: Doomsday might be the right time to hit the reset button.

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Thor Has Undergone Too Many Changes In The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Marvel has altered Thor a lot from when he was first introduced to the MCU, and some of those have been positive, while others have taken away from what he originally stood for. Marvel has ramped up Thor’s powers throughout the movies, making him a compelling character who can offer a lot more when it comes to fight scenes. Yet his personality has arguably made him borderline unlikable at times as he’s gone through periods of acting aloof and as if he doesn’t care.

From the start, Thor was all about leading his people and following in his father’s footsteps, yet when the time came for that to happen potentially, he shunned the responsibility. That was uncharacteristic of Thor, which moviegoers initially fell in love with, and it’s not a favorable situation. The fact he has so many powers has also made Thor feel almost invincible in some aspects, as it has become hard to imagine how someone would be able to defeat him. While that might work to create great scenes, it impacts his vulnerability level.

Avengers: Doomsday Provides The Right Opportunity To Change Thor

Heading into previous Avengers moves, audiences knew what the lineup would look like and which characters would be involved. However, that’s not the case for Avengers: Doomsday, which is why now is the right time to change how Thor is being presented. At times, he’s been a goofball, gaining weight and not caring; in other moments, he’s been an otherworldly person with no idea what humans are like or how people behave on Earth and everything in between. That has worked at times, but right now, the MCU needs some solid tentpole characters for the MCU, which is a role that Thor is perfect to play.

It’s unknown who will lead The Avengers moving forward without Iron Man or Steve Rogers’ version of Captain America, and none understand the trials and tribulations of the group better than Thor. However, for that to happen, he will need to change his personality, with the possibility of blending different versions of him being the right call at this stage. But to do that, Marvel needs to strip Thor back and take him to how he was initially in many aspects.

Reverting To The Basics Is The Right Call For Marvel Studios

As should be the case, Marvel made considerable changes to all of the original Avengers characters over the years. Nobody wanted them to stay still, as that would have made them feel stale; therefore, Marvel’s ability to adapt their traits and showcase the impact of their lives was important. However, when it comes to Hulk and Thor, an argument can be made that they went too far. Both characters have been pushed to the absolute limit, but Thor has suffered from that the most. He’s become very comedic due to the tones of his recent movies, which has bled into how he’s presented in Avengers movies, too, lessening his impact on them overall.

He hasn’t felt as significant as other characters when more have been brought into the fold, and that shouldn’t be the case for someone as beloved as Thor. That’s because Marvel has almost tried too hard with him, throwing different gimmicks and looks at him, which have nearly felt like a ploy to sell more toys rather than actually service the character and the movies. That is why it’s time to take Thor back to the absolute basics and then rebuild him moving forward in upcoming movies either within Avengers projects or solo films.

Thor is obviously not going to be confused about aspects of life on Earth as he was at the start of his MCU journey, but it’s essential for him to no longer be as over-the-top with trying to make people laugh and playing the fool. Now is the tie for the original, noble aspects of Thor’s character to come out, as that will be important for him moving forward. Marvel now needs to rely on him as one of the leaders within The Avengers. That journey can, and should, begin with Avengers: Doomsday as it will ensure that people take him more seriously.

Avengers: Doomsday

Release Date

May 1, 2026

Director

Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

• 

  Vanessa Kirby

  Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

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  Joseph Quinn

  Johnny Storm / Human Torch

• 

  Ebon Moss-Bachrach

  Ben Grimm / The Thing

• 

  Pedro Pascal

  Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic