Thunderbolts’ New Hero Hints At 1 Major Storyline For The MCU’s Thor 5

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Summary

Thor 5 could introduce a darker storyline and tone for the God of Thunder, moving away from the comedy of previous films.
The introduction of the Sentry in the MCU's upcoming Thunderbolts could pave the way for the adaptation of the Marvel Comics' Siege storyline in Thor 5.
Thor 5 could potentially bring Loki back to the main MCU timeline, and explore his redemption arc further, aligning with his role in the Siege event from Marvel Comics.

Marvel Studios has been teasing the perfect storyline for Thor 5, and this could be reinforced with the introduction of one speculated new MCU hero for Phase 6's Thunderbolts. Marvel Studios hasn't yet confirmed the development of a potential Thor 5 in the MCU, but recent rumors have suggested that the project is being produced, though without Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi at the helm. After Love and Thunder's disappointing performance in the MCU's Phase 4, many are hoping for a tonal change in Thor 5, veering away from the comedy of Waititi's entries, and delivering a more dramatic story for the God of Thunder.
Should it be put into development at Marvel Studios, Thor 5 would mark Chris Hemsworth's twelfth appearance as the MCU's Thor, following appearances in a solo tetralogy, all four Avengers films, two episodes of What If...? season 1, and cameos in Doctor Strange and Loki. Despite his consistency, not all of Thor's adventures have been positively received, with 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder receiving more criticism than any other. This has led to speculation that Thor 5 will overhaul the franchise, which could hint at a much darker Marvel Comics storyline being adapted into live-action, and Marvel Studios' upcoming Thunderbolts may pave the road for this intense narrative to unfold.
Sentry’s Debut In Thunderbolts Could Tease The MCU’s Siege

After joining the cast of Thunderbolts in February 2023, The Walking Dead and Invincible star Steven Yeun was heavily rumored to be portraying the MCU's version of Robert Reynolds, a.k.a. the Sentry. In November 2023, Yeun's close friend and frequent collaborator Robert Kirkman accidentally confirmed Yeun's casting as the Sentry, noting that the actor had been to a costume fitting for the Golden Guardian of Good. While the details of the Sentry's role in Thunderbolts haven't been revealed, and Yeun's casting as Robert Reynolds hasn't even been confirmed by Marvel Studios, the live-action debut of this powerful hero hints at one major Marvel Comics storyline being adapted for the MCU.
Robert Reynolds became the Sentry after consuming an experimental super-soldier serum that shifted his molecules an instant ahead of the current timeline. He is one of the Marvel Universe's most powerful heroes, yet has a dark alter ego known as the Void, that is even more powerful than his human form.
If Sentry survives the events of Phase 6's Thunderbolts and becomes an MCU mainstay, Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to develop Marvel Comics' Siege event for a future Thor 5. Siege ran from December 2009 to May 2010, and detailed an attack from Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers on Asgard, which was then floating above the United States. During the storyline, Robert Reynolds' Sentry was transformed into a powerful weapon by Osborn, who used the hero, who has the power of a million exploding suns, to decimate Asgard. This would be a powerful story to tell in Thor 5, lending itself perfectly to the Thor franchise's changing tone.
Marvel Comics’ Siege Event Is Perfect For Thor’s Changing Tone Close There is very little comedy in Marvel Comics' Siege event, which means that it may be the perfect storyline to adapt for Thor 5, as Marvel Studios is surely making an effort to avoid the mistakes of Thor: Love and Thunder. Siege took place after 2008's Secret Invasion storyline, which ended with Tony Stark being stripped of his position as SHIELD Director, and Norman Osborn, a.k.a. the Green Goblin, being given the job in his place. Osborn transformed SHIELD into HAMMER, and established the Dark Avengers, a team of supervillains disguised as superheroes. After assuming control of most of the United States, only Asgard was out of Osborn's reach.
In an effort to take control of Asgard, which at the time had taken the form of a floating city outside Broxton, Oklahoma, Osborn met with the Cabal, a group of notable Marvel Comics villains, for advice, and got permission to invade Asgard from the President, claiming the city posed a national security threat. Osborn orchestrates a catastrophe involving Volstagg to secure this permission, and manipulates the Sentry into acting as his strongest weapon by having the villain Bullseye kill Robert Reynolds' wife, Lindy. The Sentry and Osborn's attack on Asgard leads to the intervention of the real Avengers, led by Steve Rogers' Captain America, culminating in an epic battle.
While Marvel Comics' Asgard took the form of a floating city outside Broxton, Oklahoma, the MCU's New Asgard has been established as a city in Norway, though Broxton was an important location in Marvel Studios' Loki series on Disney+, as Sylvie begins a new life in Broxton after killing He Who Remains.
During the battle in Asgard, many powerful heroes are injured or killed before the Sentry inadvertently transforms into the Void, his evil alter ego, and destroys the floating city, bringing Asgard crashing down to Earth. While Osborn is incapacitated, Captain America's Avengers battle the Void, weakening him enough to revert him to his Sentry form, though Robert Reynolds then begs them to kill him, a request to which Thor complies. Siege was a pivotal event in Marvel Comics, changing the status quo of the Marvel Universe, and this kind of high-intensity drama and action may be perfect to develop for Marvel Studios' potential Thor 5 project.
Secret Invasion & The Marvels Already Teased Siege In The MCU

Phase 6's upcoming Thunderbolts is suspected to be debuting the Sentry in the MCU, which would take some huge strides in establishing Siege as a potential storyline for Thor 5. However, not all the weight is on Thunderbolts' shoulders, as several previous MCU projects have already begun to pave the road for Siege to be explored. The events of Thor: Ragnarok saw the residents of Asgard relocate to Earth, establishing a home in New Asgard, Norway, during Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. More recently, both Secret Invasion on Disney+ and 2023's The Marvels, the sequel to Captain Marvel, have set up key elements in Siege's storyline for the MCU's future.
After learning the true extent of the Skrull infiltration in 2023's Secret Invasion, the MCU's President Ritson declared war on all extraterrestrial species living on Earth, which presumably includes the varied inhabitants of New Asgard. This was surely exacerbated in The Marvels, as New Asgard's ruler, Tessa Thompson's King Valkyrie, agreed to provide safe haven for even more Skrull refugees from the destroyed planet of Tarnax. 2025's Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts are expected to deal with Ritson's war, as Harrison Ford's General Ross will assume the position of President of the United States, so these projects can directly set up the Siege storyline for Thor 5.
Thor 5’s Siege Could Bring Loki Back To The MCU

Tom Hiddleston's storyline has seemingly come to an end with the finale of Loki season 2, but there are suspicions that he could make his way back to the MCU's main continuity, despite his new role as the guardian of the multiverse. Loki has a huge role in Marvel Comics' Siege event, so it's possible that a reunion between Thor and Loki could be on the cards for the MCU's Thor 5. Initially, Loki was depicted as a villain in Marvel Comics' Siege, as he helped to weaken Asgard prior to Norman Osborn's attack, but he later changed his tune after seeing the destruction caused by Osborn and the Sentry.
Realizing the error of his ways, Loki uses the mythical Norn Stones during Siege to enhance the powers of Captain America's Avengers. This makes Earth's Mightiest Heroes strong enough to take on the Void, which the villain is far from impressed with. Realizing the Avengers have been enhanced by Loki, the Void kills the former villain, but his sacrifice only spurs the heroes on more, fighting, and eventually succeeding, to honor his legacy. Loki's MCU future is unclear after Loki season 2, but the Siege event being adapted for Thor 5 would give him the perfect opportunity to prove his heroism to his brother, and potentially bid a final farewell.
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