10 Most Wasted MCU Characters In The Thor Movies

The MCU has delivered countless iconic characters over the years, but the Thor franchise has underutilized some of its most compelling figures. While Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has grown into a standout figure, many of his supporting characters have been sidelined, mishandled, or written out entirely. This recurring issue has been frustrating, as some of the MCU timeline’s most beloved or intriguing characters have failed to live up to their potential. Whether it’s due to limited screen time, poor writing, or an imbalance in the storytelling, these characters deserved better treatment.

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Thor’s solo films have been a mixed bag, ranging from the Shakespearean drama of Thor (2011) to the comedic irreverence of Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and the polarizing spectacle of Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). While these tonal shifts have kept the series fresh, they’ve also contributed to an uneven handling of its supporting characters. Thor’s world is filled with rich lore, compelling allies, and dangerous foes. Instead of capitalizing on their potential, the films often focus narrowly on Thor himself, leaving a trail of underdeveloped characters in their wake.

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10

Idris Elba’s Heimdall

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, & Thor: Love And Thunder

Idris Elba’s Heimdall is a textbook example of wasted potential. As the all-seeing, all-hearing guardian of the Bifrost, Heimdall could have been a pivotal figure in Thor’s journey. His unique powers and close ties to Asgard made him an essential ally, but the films rarely gave him the spotlight he deserved. Despite Elba’s commanding screen presence, Heimdall was often relegated to the sidelines, serving primarily as a stationary plot device, lingering at the Bifrost to transport characters between realms.

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In Thor: Ragnarok, Heimdall’s role expanded slightly as he led Asgard’s resistance against Hela, but even this was a small fraction of his potential. His death in Avengers: Infinity War was powerful but ultimately unceremonious, given his importance to Asgard and the Thor franchise. For an actor of Elba’s caliber and a character with such mythological significance, the MCU’s treatment of Heimdall is a glaring misstep.

9

Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher

Thor: Love And Thunder

Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher was one of the most anticipated villains in Thor: Love and Thunder, but the final product was divisive. In the comics, Gorr is a deeply complex character driven by personal loss and righteous anger against the gods. Bale’s portrayal captured glimpses of this, bringing a chilling intensity to the screen. However, the film’s comedic tone often clashed with Gorr’s menacing presence, undermining his gravitas.

The lack of screen time greatly hampered Gorr’s impact. The character’s philosophical clash with Thor, which could have provided a profound narrative, was reduced to surface-level interactions. Bale’s performance hinted at a truly terrifying rendition of Gorr, but the script didn’t give him enough room to fully explore the role. Considering Bale’s talent and the character’s significance in the comics, Gorr’s portrayal in the MCU feels like a massive missed opportunity.

8

Joshua Dallas and Zachary Levi’s Fandral

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Fandral, one of the Warriors Three, was played by Joshua Dallas in Thor and later recast with Zachary Levi in Thor: The Dark World. Despite the character’s swashbuckling charm and potential for comedic relief, Fandral was barely given any screen time after the first movie. Alongside the other Warriors Three, Fandral appeared in The Dark World, proffering one of the movie’s few good jokes, but then promptly faded into the background.

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This was exacerbated in Thor: Ragnarok, where Fandral was killed off casually by Hela without a single line of dialogue. For a character with roots in Asgardian mythology and a vibrant personality in the comics, Fandral’s treatment in the MCU completely squandered him. Both Dallas and Levi had the charisma to make Fandral a memorable figure, but the films never allowed him the chance to shine.

7

Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith

Thor: The Dark World

Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith the Accursed, the Dark Elf antagonist in Thor: The Dark World, is often regarded as one of the MCU’s weakest villains. Despite Eccleston’s talent and the character’s rich history in the comics, Malekith was reduced to a one-dimensional villain with unclear motivations. The film failed to delve into Malekith’s tragic backstory or his enmity with Asgard, instead opting for a generic revenge plot.

Malekith’s visual design and abilities hinted at a more formidable foe, but his lack of meaningful dialogue or development made him forgettable. Even Eccleston himself expressed frustration with the role, highlighting the wasted potential of both the character and the actor. In a franchise known for its memorable villains, Malekith stands out as an example of how poor writing and underdeveloped storytelling can utterly waste an iconic Marvel character.

6

Jamie Alexander’s Lady Sif

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Love And Thunder

Lady Sif, played by Jamie Alexander, started as a strong and capable warrior in Thor. With her close ties to Thor and her prominent role in Asgard’s defense, Sif was set up as a central figure in the franchise. However, her character was largely sidelined in subsequent films. After her strong introduction in the first Thor, Sif’s presence diminished significantly. She was absent entirely from Thor: Ragnarok, with only a brief explanation that she was off-world.

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This initially seemed like she was sparred Hela’s wrath to return in future projects. However, her return in Loki and Thor: Love and Thunder felt like an afterthought, reducing her to a humorous cameo. The fact that the latter joked about Sif not making it to the Asgardian afterlife was particularly galling and not befitting. Jamie Alexander’s talent and Sif’s potential as a complex and powerful ally to Thor deserved far more attention in the MCU.

5

Tadanobu Asano’s Hogun

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Hogun, another member of the Warriors Three, was played by Tadanobu Asano. Known for his stoic demeanor and combat prowess, Hogun had the potential to add depth and diversity to the Thor films. However, like Fandral, his role after the first movie was minimal, and his character was underexplored. Despite his intriguing presence and unique fighting style, Hogun rarely had meaningful dialogue or moments to shine.

Hogan fared slightly better than his comrades in Thor: Ragnarok, surviving just long enough to demonstrate some fighting skills and have a rousing moment of defiance before his unceremonious death. For an actor of Asano’s talent and a character with such a distinct identity, the lack of meaningful material for Hogun was a significant misstep. He could have been a standout figure in the Thor franchise, but instead, he’s remembered as another wasted opportunity.

4

Brett Goldstein’s Hercules

Thor: Love And Thunder

The introduction of Brett Goldstein as Hercules in the mid-credits’ scene of Thor: Love and Thunder sparked considerable excitement that the classic Avenger would finally appear in the MCU. Hercules is a major figure in Marvel Comics, known for his rivalry and eventual camaraderie with Thor. Goldstein’s appearance teased a confrontation with Thor, sent on a mission of revenge by his father Zeus. Years later, this still has not been fulfilled.

Hercules’ post-credits scene in Thor: Love and Thunder hinted at a future conflict between Hercules and Thor, but with no follow-up yet announced, it remains unclear if this will come to fruition. Given Goldstein’s charisma and the character’s rich history, it’s presumed to be more than a fleeting cameo. Hercules’ inclusion in the MCU has the potential to explore fascinating dynamics and themes, but whether this will happen is uncertain.

3

Ray Stevenson’s Volstagg

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Ray Stevenson’s Volstagg, the jovial and larger-than-life member of the Warriors Three, brought humor and heart to the first two Thor films. As a loyal ally to Thor, Volstagg had the potential to be both a source of comic relief and a deeply resonant character. However, like Fandral and Hogun, Volstagg’s role soon became minimal. His death in Thor: Ragnarok, alongside Fandral, was abrupt and unceremonious, further highlighting how the franchise treated its supporting characters as disposable.

Despite Ray Stevenson’s engaging performance, Volstagg rarely had the chance to shine beyond a few brief moments of humor in the widely derided Thor: The Dark World. For a character as vibrant and beloved as Volstagg, this was a significant disappointment. Stevenson’s portrayal deserved more meaningful material and his character’s potential as both a comedic and heroic figure was sadly wasted.

2

Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster

Thor: Ragnarok

Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster was a scene-stealer in Thor: Ragnarok, bringing his trademark eccentricity to the ruler of Sakaar. With his unique blend of humor and menace, the Grandmaster was a fascinating addition to the MCU. However, his role in the film was largely superficial. While Goldblum’s comedic presence fit the film’s tone, it overshadowed the character’s potential as a manipulative and dangerous figure.

With the Grandmaster’s fate left unconfirmed at the end of Thor: Ragnarok, it seemed like he could return in the MCU’s future. His history as one of the Elders of the Universe and his potential for causing chaos across the universe and his connections to other cosmic beings remain unexplored. Of course, Goldblum’s performance was memorable, but the character’s limited role in Thor: Ragnarok feels like a missed opportunity to expand the MCU’s cosmic mythology.

1

Anthony Hopkins’ Odin

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Anthony Hopkins brought gravitas to the role of Odin, the All-Father of Asgard, in the first two Thor films. Odin’s wisdom and complex relationship with his sons set up a rich narrative. In Thor, Odin’s actions drove much of the plot, and his dynamic with Thor and Loki added depth to the story. However, Odin’s role diminished significantly in Thor: Ragnarok. His death felt rushed, serving more as a plot device to set up Hela’s arrival than a meaningful conclusion to his arc.

Moreover, for an actor of Hopkins’ calibre, it seemed like a waste to just dress him up and have him shout a bit. Hopkins himself made this criticism, noting that he didn’t really have to do any acting. For a character as pivotal as Odin, a proper exploration of his backstory, his struggles as a ruler, and his connection to Asgard’s history would have made a compelling addition to the Thor movies.

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7.9/10

Thor

PG-13
SuperheroActionFantasy

Chris Hemsworth’s MCU debut as the Asgardian God of Thunder saw him navigating the ultimare sibling rivalry and parental expectations. Kenneth Branagh’s theatrical adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics deals with Thor’s quest to prove himself worthy. Banished to Earth for his impulsiveness and tendency to violence, Thor must earn his destiny, while Tom Hiddleston’s Loki tries to destroy him.

Release Date

May 6, 2011

Runtime

115 minutes

Cast

Chris Hemsworth
, Natalie Portman
, Tom Hiddleston
, Kat Dennings
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Idris Elba
, Clark Gregg
, Colm Feore

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Writers

Zack Stentz
, Ashley Miller
, Don Payne

Sequel(s)

thor 2
, thor 3
, Thor 4
, Thor 5

Budget

$150 million

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10

4.9/10

Thor: The Dark World

PG-13
ActionAdventureSuperhero Sci-FiFantasy

Thor: The Dark World is the first sequel to Thor’s introductory MCU movie and the second release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 2. Set after the events of The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World follows Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder as he tries to stop the villain Malekith with the help of his girlfriend Jane Foster, his brother Loki, and his father Odin.

Release Date

November 8, 2013

Runtime

1h 52m

Cast

Tom Hiddleston
, Tadanobu Asano
, Idris Elba
, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
, Anthony Hopkins
, Natalie Portman
, Zachary Levi
, Christopher Eccleston
, Rene Russo
, Chris Hemsworth
, Ray Stevenson
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Jaimie Alexander
, Kat Dennings

Director

Alan Taylor

Writers

Stephen McFeely
, Christopher Markus
, Christopher Yost

Sequel(s)

Avengers: Age of Ultron
, Thor: Ragnarok
, Avengers: Infinity War
, Avengers: Endgame
, Thor: Love and Thunder

Budget

150 million USD

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14

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7.8/10

Thor: Ragnarok

PG-13
SuperheroActionAdventureSci-FiFantasyComedy

Thor: Ragnarok is the third Thor solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first directed by Taika Waititi. In the sequel, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself stranded on Sakaar, ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Soon he teams with Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to return to Asgard and defeat his sister Hela.

Release Date

November 3, 2017

Runtime

130 Minutes

Cast

Chris Hemsworth
, Tessa Thompson
, Tom Hiddleston
, Mark Ruffalo
, Jeff Goldblum
, Cate Blanchett
, Idris Elba
, Karl Urban

Director

Taika Waititi

Writers

Eric Pearson
, Craig Kyle
, Christopher Yost
, Stan Lee
, Larry Lieber
, Jack Kirby
, Greg Pak
, Walter Simonson
, Carlo Pagulayan

Sequel(s)

Thor: Love and Thunder

Budget

$180 Million

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11

4.3/10

Thor: Love and Thunder

PG-13
ActionFantasyAdventure Sci-FiSuperhero

Thor: Love & Thunder is the fourth Thor film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and director Taika Waititi’s second outing with the character. The movie finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey to find inner piece. But when Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) goes on a killing rampage against the gods, Thor is thrown back into the action. Tessa Thompson returns as Valkyrie, as does Waititi’s Korg. Natalie Portman also returns to the franchise for the first time in nine years as Jane Foster, who transforms into the Mighty Thor to wield Mjolnir.

Release Date

July 8, 2022

Runtime

118 minutes

Cast

Christian Bale
, Russell Crowe
, Tessa Thompson
, Chris Pratt2
, Natalie Portman
, Karen Gillan
, Chris Hemsworth

Director

Taika Waititi

Writers

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
, Taika Waititi

Sequel(s)

Thor 5

Budget

$250 million

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