# Natalie Portman is the new Thor **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 21, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398 "2019-07-21T13:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/61 "2019-07-23T18:33:51Z")
The MCU hasn’t put much emphasis on superhero names, at least for about half of the characters – has anyone ever called Wanda “The Scarlet Witch”? Or Nat “Black Widow”? Bucky doesn’t seem to be “The Winter Soldier” any more – he’s just Bucky. So I expect Jane will continue to be Jane. Maybe she’ll become “The Mighty Jane”. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/62 "2019-07-23T18:51:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The MCU hasn’t put much emphasis on superhero names, at least for about half of the characters – has anyone ever called Wanda “The Scarlet Witch”? Or Nat “Black Widow”? They haven’t used Scarlet Witch. Zemo referred to Nat as “Black Widow” in Civil War, which I think was the first instance after 4 movies. ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/63 "2019-07-23T19:10:51Z")
I think Natalie Portman is a great actor when she has a role that (I believe) she enjoys. That being said, she doesn’t seem to be able to get it up for the sci-fi/fantasy stuff (see Thor & Star Wars). With luck the writers will give her some quality she can work with and we can get a vintage Portman performance. On a side note, I just read that her character will be named The Mighty Thor. Is this name significant in the comics or did they just create it for this role? And what do we call Thor-Thor now? Old Thor, Man Thor, The Artist Formerly Known as Thor? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/64 "2019-07-23T19:13:53Z")
If they’re going to market her as Mighty Thor, I think that will probably be how we differentiate. Thor and Mighty Thor. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/65 "2019-07-23T19:19:46Z")
I certainly believe that there are several ways to photograph someone to make them look larger/smaller than their actual stature. It’s just that Ms. Portman is a well-established actress with impressive credits: I’d be a little surprised if she were willing to work for scale. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/66 "2019-07-23T19:21:56Z")
reported ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/67 "2019-07-23T19:22:16Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > She might not even get a superhero name. In fact, that’s a pretty common part of MCU movies to not give superhero names right away. Did you notice that they never actually name ‘Valkyrie’? We don’t know her name. They just say she was a Valkyrie. Oh no, this headline has now taken up enough space that we’ve run out of room for an actual article." ‘Valkyrie’ actually _was_ her superhero name [in the comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie_(Marvel_Comics)), which is undoubtedly why they went in that direction in the MCU. She was specifically the valkyrie Brunnhilde( also Barbara Norris, for overly complicated comic book reasons ). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/68 "2019-07-23T20:10:00Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > She’s not Thor, she’s Lady Thor. As linked in post #51, she’s just fucking Thor. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/69 "2019-07-23T20:12:47Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > If they’re going to market her as Mighty Thor, I think that will probably be how we differentiate. Thor and Mighty Thor. [Yep.](https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/23/20703577/natalie-portman-thor-love-and-thunder-mighty-thor) ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/70 "2019-07-23T20:22:59Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > if people are unhappy wait until they hear George Lucas is the director/writer. 🙂 Looking forward to the _Thor Christmas Special_! ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/71 "2019-07-23T20:40:04Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > As linked in post #51, she’s just fucking Thor. JFC, you can’t make anyone happy. I was trying to make it clear to DrDeth that Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster as Thor are two fucking different characters. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/72 "2019-07-23T20:41:23Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > ‘Valkyrie’ actually _was_ her superhero name [in the comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie_(Marvel_Comics)), which is undoubtedly why they went in that direction in the MCU. She was specifically the valkyrie Brunnhilde( also Barbara Norris, for overly complicated comic book reasons ). Right, but as I was pointing out, lots of times they don’t use the actual name or wait a long time to use the actual name in the MCU. SEE: Scarlet Witch and Black Widow. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/73 "2019-07-23T20:45:48Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > JFC, you can’t make anyone happy. I was trying to make it clear to DrDeth that Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster as Thor are two fucking different characters. That’s what I get for not including a smiley. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/74 "2019-07-23T20:48:35Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > As linked in post #51, she’s just fucking Thor. well, not since she dumped him. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/75 "2019-07-23T21:08:52Z")
I don’t have a strong opinion of Portman either way. I’ve only seen a handful of her movies, and they’re mostly fairly forgettable to me. That said, I think she did FINE in Thor 1, a movie that was, from top to bottom, fine. Jane wasn’t given a whole lot of interesting work to do in that movie, and she did a perfectly fine job. Hiddleston is the only one who really “popped” in that movie, and I think “ancient God of tricks and mischief, secret monster / orphan” is a little easier to make pop than “scientist / possible love interest.” Thor 2, an absolute dud of a movie, did even less with her. I don’t blame her for being annoyed with it and wanting to distance herself from playing a damsel in a string of cheesy sci-fi flicks. I think she could be completely solid in this role with a director who knows what they’re doing. I have a LOT of confidence in Taika Waititi after Ragnarok. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/76 "2019-07-23T21:13:38Z")
> [@BeagleJesus](#): > > And what do we call Thor-Thor now? Old Thor, Man Thor, The Artist Formerly Known as Thor? He seems to respond to Odinson… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/77 "2019-07-23T22:58:15Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > JFC, you can’t make anyone happy. I was trying to make it clear to DrDeth that Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster as Thor are two fucking different characters. Sure. But why is she NAMED Thor? I am fine she gets the Hammer, and the Power, etc. Nice to see it. But getting the _name_ makes no sense. It’s just marvel fucking with us again, like Cap being Hydra. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/78 "2019-07-24T00:19:57Z")
If she took this role, I see no reason to think she isn’t willing to buff herself up. Guys do it for roles all the time. Also, one of MCU’s big strengths was coopting other genres and make them super hero movies. I’m sure they can find a story that Portman could enthusiastically act in, which was probably her main problem in the Thor movies. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/79 "2019-07-24T00:32:44Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > JFC, you can’t make anyone happy. I was trying to make it clear to DrDeth that Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster as Thor are two fucking different characters. The thing is, assuming they’re following the comics, when Jane becomes Thor, the other guy stops being Thor. Completely. He doesn’t use the name or anything. Calls himself “Odinson,” instead. The comics are very clear that “Thor” is as much a title/position as it is a specific person, and that title can be passed around, and the name and the title aren’t separable. So, to the extent that the movie ends up following the comics, your explanation to **DrDeth** is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398/80 "2019-07-24T01:24:14Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The thing is, assuming they’re following the comics, when Jane becomes Thor, the other guy stops being Thor. Completely. He doesn’t use the name or anything. Calls himself “Odinson,” instead. The comics are very clear that “Thor” is as much a title/position as it is a specific person, and that title can be passed around, and the name and the title aren’t separable. > > So, to the extent that the movie ends up following the comics, your explanation to **DrDeth** is wrong. Yeah, in “the comics” Marvel comics, you can find \*anything \*to prove everything. Marvel has screwed with the canon, timeline and characters so much, that anything can and did happen. Thor was a frog too. needeep. So, I am sticking to the films, where they make somewhat more sense. In that, there has always been only one Thor, he was never a mortal doctor, etc, and even when he lost his hammer, he was still Thor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natalie-portman-is-the-new-thor/837398.md?page=5)