A fan-made concept trailer for Marvel Studios’ unannounced Thor 5 shows Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder facing off against a powerful new enemy in the MCU: Brett Goldstein’s Hercules. Thor is the only MCU hero with four solo feature films, although not all of them were well-received. 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder faced heavy criticism for its overuse of comedy, leading to hopes that a potential Thor 5 will take on a different tone.

There’s speculation that Thor 5, which hasn’t been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, will have a darker tone compared to previous films. This shift is imagined in a concept trailer shared by Screen Culture, which depicts an intense battle between Thor and other gods of the MCU, specifically Hercules, who debuted in Love and Thunder’s post-credits scene. While news about Thor 5 has been scarce, Hercules has been set up as a clear threat to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.

Why Thor 5 Should Include Hercules
The possibility that Thor 5 will drastically change the tone of the franchise suggests that Taika Waititi’s comedic elements may not return. However, one aspect of Love and Thunder that should remain is the inclusion of Hercules. Known for his comedic roles in Ted Lasso and SuperBob, Brett Goldstein has also shown serious acting skills, making him a great fit for the darker tone that Thor 5 could take.

Hercules has been one of Marvel’s most iconic characters since his debut in 1965’s Journey into Mystery Annual #1. Initially an enemy of Thor, Hercules soon became a hero and a long-running member of the Avengers. As one of the strongest and most connected heroes in the Marvel Universe, his debut in Love and Thunder was exciting, clearly setting up more appearances in the MCU. Thor 5 would be the perfect place for Hercules to return, possibly starting as Thor’s adversary and later becoming an ally, allowing him to integrate into the MCU’s broader superhero world.