MCU: 10 Things You Learn Rewatching Thor

3. Natalie Portman Just Doesn't Want To Be There

Thor 1
Marvel Studios

Although they've moved away from the practice now, in Phase 1 every hero needed an obligatory love interest. To be fair on Marvel though, they didn't just cast any old actor for the part, scouting out charismatic and skilled people like Gwyneth Paltrow for Iron Man, Liv Tyler for The Incredible Hulk and, of course, Natalie Portman for Thor.

However, as good as Portman most certainly is, it's so obvious that she wants to be pretty much anywhere else than on a Marvel set playing Jane. Not as much as she doesn't want to be there in the sequel, of course, but her disinterest in the material is still extremely obvious.

In a way though, you can't really blame her. Once again the character is given more to do than simply swoon over the titular hero - here being an integral part of understanding where the Asgardians came from and unpacking the science behind their race - but those interesting threads get pushed to the side in favour of Jane only being around to eventually snog Thor's face off.

Advertisement
In this post: 
Thor MCU
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.