LOS ANGELES: There are twists and turns in store for fans of Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder,” at least one from an unlikely new superhero.
Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster returns transformed, wielding Thor’s magical hammer Mjolnir, much to the chagrin of the male god played by Chris Hemsworth.
Off screen, Hemsworth had nothing but respect for Portman, who last played Foster in 2013’s “Thor: The Dark World.”
“Amazing, beyond amazing,” Hemsworth said in an interview. “I started this journey with Natalie 10, 11 years ago and now seeing her as this character is amazing and she’s done such an incredible job.”
Portman had to save up for the role.
“The food was really amazing. You have to eat so much all the time,” he said. “There’s so much protein, so many shakes. I love food so much, you never think that eating is a chore.”
Christian Bale donned prosthetics to play the villain Gorr the Butcher.
“All of a sudden I couldn’t do anything, type anything and eat. I felt like I couldn’t even move because of it,” Bale said, adding that his character’s fangs make it difficult to speak.
“It made me end up being this hidden character … walking around the set without talking, but I had so much fun doing that.”
Tessa Thompson returns as Valkyrie, no longer drunk and with a perfect English accent.
Along with Jane and Thor, he goes on a rescue mission after the children of the city of New Asgard are kidnapped by Gorr. Director Taika Waititi and the cast had enough children to play roles.
“Having our kids on set was incredible,” Portman said. “Chris’ kids, Taika’s kids and Christian’s kids all love to run and play together. It’s been quite a dream as a working parent.”
“Thor: Love and Thunder” begins its worldwide theatrical release on Wednesday.
