‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ trailer reveals Christian Bale as Gorr

Thor is returning to the big screen in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ coming to theaters on July 8. The full trailer dropped during Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, revealing a first look at Christian Bale as the film’s villain Gorr the God Butcher, reports Variety.

Marvel announced the title for Love and Thunder back in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con, where studio boss Kevin Feige revealed that Natalie Portman would be returning to the franchise for the first since ‘Thor: The Dark World’ (2013).

In the new film, Portman’s Jane Foster will assume the mantle of Mighty Thor.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” is produced by Kevin Feige, with executive producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito and Todd Hallowell.

Filmmaker Taika Waititi returns to direct ‘Love and Thunder’ after revitalizing the Thor franchise with ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017). In the years since, Waititi has won an Oscar and become a key part of the Disney family, acting in and directing episodes of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian and developing a Star Wars feature for the studio. Waititi penned the Love and Thunder script from a story he collaborated on with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

With Love and Thunder, Hemsworth becomes the first Marvel actor to topline a fourth solo film. The character last appeared in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019) which introduced the world to a Thor who was depressed after failing to stop Thanos. Love and Thunder‘s first teaser debuted just a month ago in April, and revealed a Thor who had given up the superhero life following the events of Endgame.

Based on the comics by Stan Lee and Jason Aaron, the film’s script is written by Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

Other stars include Tessa Thompson, returning as Valkyrie, and franchise newcomers Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. The project brings back actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, including Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista.