As ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ prepares to be one of the most impactful crossover events in the MCU, the attention is naturally on Doctor Doom and the multiversal destruction he will cause. Thor’s return, framed around protecting his daughter and standing against an existential threat, carries real emotional weight.
However, hidden behind the Doom-sized stakes is another war the MCU has been sitting on, and it may be equally significant for Thor’s story. ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ did not simply close a chapter; it opened a door. And behind it is a battle that fans have been longing to watch.
Before Doctor Doom, Thor Has Unfinished Business With Another God
The post-credits scene of ‘Love and Thunder’ introduced Hercules, son of Zeus, with a very clear mission: hunt down and defeat Thor. Hercules is not a small villain or a joke. He is among the few characters in the Marvel lore who can fight Thor blow-to-blow and even beat him. It is not just another competition. It is a battle of deities that is driven by pride, heritage, and a score to settle.
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The fact that Zeus was humiliated by Thor provided Hercules with a personal motivation to fight. Now, the MCU made it clear that this moment would be paid off in the future, rather than as a background flavor. The most interesting thing about this arrangement is the timing. Thor is not the carefree warrior he used to be. He now has a son and is less motivated by glory and more by responsibility.
Unexpected and unwanted conflict with Hercules might lead Thor to a fight he does not want but cannot avoid. Such a conflict is self-writing. As Thor is ready to fight Doctor Doom and rescue the multiverse, Hercules might literally derail Thor, delaying the Avengers and creating tension within the team. It’s messy, inconvenient, and deeply human, which is exactly what Thor’s modern arc thrives on.
Hercules Could Be The Wild Card For ‘Doomsday’
On the surface, Hercules is a blatant ‘Thor 5’ set-up. However, there is a reason to suspect that Marvel has a bigger plan. ‘Love and Thunder’ director Taika Waititi has made it clear that Hercules was added by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige not as a throwaway tease, but as a component of a bigger strategy. In the comics, Hercules is not only Thor’s competitor, but he is also an Avenger. A longtime one.
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He has been on several Avengers teams, filled in where Thor was unavailable, and been instrumental in some of the most dramatic plots of the team. Taking him into ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ would recreate that history. It is also narratively sound. Having Hercules come into the picture as a villain and then turn into a friend would be a welcome addition to the already huge cast. This would give Thor a very personal story within the bigger narrative.
It would also bring in a strong new character who can continue the franchise. It has a symbolic weight as well. With Thor nearing its endgame, Hercules might be the next step, not to replace Thor, but to carry on with mythic power in the Avengers. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ does not have to decide between Doctor Doom and Hercules. In fact, weaving both into Thor’s story could elevate the film’s emotional stakes.
