Marvel's next movie is now on the horizon as Taika Waititi returns to direct Thor: Love and Thunder.
However, the renowned New Zealand director and writer has set the record straight about the kind of love to expect from the fourth solo Thor film.
In an interview with Empire, Waititi explained that the film is not solely about romantic love between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his former flame Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).
He said: "I want to make a film about love, with superheroes and outer space. Those are the things I want. And that's pretty much what it is.
Related: New look at Natalie Portman's Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder
"I've shied away from this idea of romance [before]. I love Wuthering Heights and how big that love story is, and how over-the-top and operatic it is. They're f**king declaring, 'I am Heathcliff and Heathcliff is me'.
"We're nowhere near as big as that, but it's about love and about people who want love and what love means to people."
The What We Do in the Shadows co-creator added that fans might be disappointed if they go in expecting an epic romantic reunion for Thor and Jane.
"I think most people will assume that the love story is between Chris and Natalie," he continued. "I can't promise that what people think is going to happen in this film will happen."
Related: Loki's Tom Hiddleston responds to Thor: Love and Thunder rumours
The new trailer and stills from the film tease Portman's return to the franchise as not only Jane, but Mighty Thor with her own badass superhero outfit and the impressive guns to go with it.
Waititi will also reprise his role as Korg in the movie, alongside Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie and the Guardians of the Galaxy cast of Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel.
Batman icon Christian Bale will also be introduced to the MCU as Gorr the God Butcher.
Thor: Love and Thunder has a release date of July 8, 2022. The other three Thor movies are available to stream now on Disney+.
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Jess is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for over-analysing everyone’s favourite movies and TV shows. As an English graduate from the University of York with an MA in Creative Writing, Jess worked as a magazine editor before turning freelance. Since then, Jess has written for outlets such as GQ, The Guardian, Inverse, Huff Post, Stylist, and Insider. She specialises in the representation of mental health, grief, and women in film. She’s also a major Marvel nerd and is writing a YA fantasy novel. LinkedIn
