The 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.
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 ing 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.
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 ed 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 ing 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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Thor
7/10- Release Date
- May 6, 2011
- Runtime
- 115 minutes
- Director
- Kenneth Branagh
Cast
Thor
Jane Foster
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYThor, released in 2011, introduces Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god. Banished to Earth by his father Odin, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, Thor must live among humans and learn humility. As he adapts to his new circumstances, a threat from Asgard, led by his brother Loki, endangers Earth.
- Writers
- Ashley Miller, Don Payne, Zack Stentz
- Sequel(s)
- thor 2, thor 3, Thor 4
- Budget
- $150 million
-
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Thor: The Dark World
7/10- Release Date
- November 8, 2013
- Runtime
- 112 minutes
- Director
- Alan Taylor
Cast
-
Thor
-
Jane Foster
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYThor: The Dark World, the second installment in Marvel's Thor series, follows the titular hero as he faces Malekith and the vengeful Dark Elves. With the universe threatened, Thor s forces with allies, including Jane Foster, to thwart the cosmic peril and restore balance to the realms.
- Writers
- Christopher Markus, Christopher L. Yost, Stephen McFeely
- Sequel(s)
- Thor: Love and Thunder
- Budget
- 170 million USD
-
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Thor: Ragnarok
7/10- Release Date
- November 3, 2017
- Runtime
- 131 minutes
- Director
- Taika Waititi
Cast
-
Thor
Bruce Banner / Hulk
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYThor: Ragnarok, released on October 2, 2017, is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features Chris Hemsworth as Thor, who is imprisoned on the other side of the universe, racing against time to return to Asgard to prevent Ragnarok and confront the formidable Hela.
- Writers
- Christopher L. Yost, Craig Kyle, Eric Pearson
- Sequel(s)
- Thor: Love and Thunder
- Budget
- $180 Million
-
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Thor: Love and Thunder
8/10- Release Date
- July 8, 2022
- Runtime
- 119 minutes
- Director
- Taika Waititi
Cast
-
Thor
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Jane Foster / The Mighty Thor
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYIn Thor: Love and Thunder, the Norse god teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and the Mighty Thor, Jane Foster, to thwart Gorr the God Butcher's quest to eradicate the gods. This cosmic adventure sees Thor confront new challenges as he navigates his return from retirement.
- Writers
- Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Taika Waititi
- Sequel(s)
- Thor 5
- Budget
- $250 million
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