Avengers: Endgame fans are divided over Thor's storyline in the Marvel film
30 April 2019, 22:48
Marvel fans appear divided on whether Thor's storyline in the new film is a change for the worse or a realistic depiction of grief.
Marvel fans are debating Thor's storyline in Avengers: Endgame and many are divided about his character development in the film.
Warning: This post contains some Avengers: Endgame spoilers.
In Endgame, each character processes the implications of Thanos' Infinity War snap in their own way. We see that Thor, especially, takes the loss quite hard. Thor retreats to a secluded hideaway in a settlement called New Asgard, where it becomes clear that he has spent the last 5 years drinking and taking up other unhealthy coping mechanisms.
When the Hulk and Rocket go to find Thor, they have a tough time convincing him to rejoin their renewed efforts to reverse Thanos' devastating actions. Thor also undergoes physical changes in the film. His hair and beard are longer and the God of Thunder has gained some weight.
Certainly, the Thor we see in Endgame is a striking departure from the Thor fans have grown accustomed to. Marvel fans appear divided on whether Thor's storyline in the new film is a change for the worse or a realistic depiction of grief.
Some fans think that Thor "deserved better".
Thor's character served as the "comic relief" for much of the film, undermining the seriousness of his emotional journey.
While others thought the new direction for the character "humanised" Thor.
Speaking to The New York Times, Endgame writers, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, explained some of the reasoning behind the film's character trajectories.
Markus explained: "when we were spitballing for Endgame, we started with, Thor’s on a mission of vengeance. And then we were like, he was on a mission of vengeance in the last movie. This is all this guy ever does! And fails, all the time. Let’s drive him into a wall and see what happens.
"He just got drunk and fat," McFeely added.
Much of what we've seen from Thor, so far, has been about his strength and his abilities as a warrior and a god. The place that Engdame takes him to, emotionally, is definitely new territory.
Thor is experiencing depression and trauma, which can manifest itself in a lot of different ways (whether you're human or a literal god). Seeing this character change because of his grief does humanise Thor in some ways. Of course, the film could have done with far fewer references to Thor's weight and addressed his emotional state in more non-jokey and nuanced ways.
