Marvel Phase 4 theory: A seductive villain could shake up 'Thor 4'

It’s hard to not speculate about all the possibilities in store for Phase Four of the MCU. With so many new characters making their solo film debuts and a handful of highly anticipated sequels, there’s all sorts of theories circulating about what these films may look like when they finally arrive. And there’s no upcoming MCU film less predictable than Taika Waititi’s much-anticipated Thor: Love & Thunder.

Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok upended perceptions of what a film set in the MCU can be, with its irreverent humor, thoughtful nods to earlier films, and metal AF setpieces. Love & Thunder proves to be yet another game-changer with its promise to set up the MCU’s first queer romance and the return of Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster as the new Thor. One question remains: who will Thor and company be facing off against this time?

Reddit user TheLazerShell may have cracked it by building on a fan theory that’s been circulating online for a little while. They’ve theorized the key to figuring out who the film’s antagonist will be lies in the title: Love & Thunder. We already know a portion of the film will focus on finding Valkyrie a queen to rule New Asgard with, and Jane and Thor have a romantic history. They’ve theorized that love will also factor into the villain: Enchantress.

A long-running villain in Thor’s comic appearances, Enchantress is a seductress with a myriad of magical powers, the most notable of which is mind control (she’s even used it on Loki in the past). Her most notable relationship in the comics has unfortunately been taken off the table: she has a complex history with Skurge the Executioner. Karl Urban played the character in Ragnarok, but since he sacrificed himself at the last to save Asgard from Hela, it’s fair to say he won’t be reprising the role.

There’s not much else to the theory beyond that, but it certainly seems plausible enough. There aren’t too many notable Thor villains who haven’t appeared in the MCU already, so it would seem Enchantress’s time has come. The heroes of Thor: Love & Thunder have their work cut out for them.

Thor: Love and Thunder comes to theaters November 5, 2021.