Love & Thunder Concept Art Shows a More Comic-Accurate Jane Foster

New Thor: Love & Thunder concept art reveals a more comics-accurate version of The Mighty Thor/Jane Foster, as played by actress Natalie Portman.

Newly-revealed concept art for Thor: Love and Thunder shows off a more comics-accurate Jane Foster. Natalie Portman returned to play Foster in the Taika Waititi-directed sequel, a role she played in the first two Thor films, as well as Avengers: Endgame. Chris Hemsworth again plays Thor Odinson for the third sequel in the solo film series alongside Portman, joined by Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Tessa Thompson, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Jaimie Alexander.

In the Marvel comic, Jane Foster is Thor Odinson’s frequent love interest, and is eventually afflicted with cancer, finding herself called to Thor’s abandoned hammer, Mjolnir. Foster is able to pick up the hammer and becomes The Mighty Thor, which disguises her identity by changing her hair from brunette to blonde and having her wear a helm that covers her eyes. This helped shield Thor Odinson from knowing who she was in the comics until she revealed herself, unlike in Thor: Love and Thunder where he noticed her right away, as the movie costume showed off her eyes, as well as a few other differences.

Related: Is Jane Foster Really Worthy Or Did Thor Lie To Her?

Marvel Studios concept artist Andy Park revealed some concept art for Jane Foster that showed her original design was a bit closer to the comics than what ended up onscreen in Thor: Love and Thunder. The biggest difference is the eye coverings on the helm, which are present in Park’s concept art, but the final film opted to show her eyes completely, which defeated the concept of anonymity completely. A few other small differences are noted in the concept art, including the neck covering that was present in the comics and not the final film, as well as the diamond-shaped symbol by Foster’s abdomen. Most everything else is fairly close to what the costume turned out to be in the film, which is still a very accurate adaptation of Foster’s look on the page. Check out Park’s post below:

One difference that remained steadily from concept to screen was of Mjolnir, which was shattered in Thor: Ragnarok by Hela, and reforged with the cracks showing prominently. This was not the case in the comics, as the hammer simply abandoned Thor and called to Foster to take up the helm. However, in the interest of consistency in the MCU, the hammer was given a new look and purpose for Foster’s use, which gained the ability to break apart to take out enemies and then reforge in its original shape.

Foster’s fate in Thor: Love and Thunder left her future in the MCU in question, but not impossible. In the comics, Foster becomes a Valkyrie and then returns as The Mighty Thor, which leaves plenty of room to explore for her next step in the MCU. However, Marvel Studios has frequently used the events (and costumes) in the comics as a template to work from, rather than adhere to, so there’s infinite possibilities for Foster in the coming phases. With the success and reception to her character in Thor: Love and Thunder, there’s a good chance that Foster returns in some capacity and perhaps in another new version of Park’s designs, which may or may adhere to the comics.

Source: Andy Park