The Greatest MCU Legacy of Thor: Ragnarok Is Not What You Think

The Greatest MCU Legacy of Thor: Ragnarok Is Not What You Think

Updated on August 03, 2022 22:01 PM by Ava Sara

Introduction

Thor: Ragnarok is willing to take responsibility for trying to remake Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that is not the film's most major contribution to the franchise.

Following the underwhelming Thor

With Thor's underwhelming performance in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the MCU realized it needed to move the character in a new direction. Taika Waititi was then hired to direct the third Thor film, and the filmmaker was able to complete something that was both unique in terms of Thor films and MCU solo films overall.

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From the first Thor movie to Avengers

Thor was a one-note personality from the first Thor film to Avengers: Age of Ultron, resembling the personality and appearance of the comic book Thor but not as captivating as other Avengers like Iron Man or even Hulk. That immediately shifted in Ragnarok, as the film discovered a combination of humorous and kind-hearted qualities that suited the character perfectly.

Ragnarok also introduced Valkyrie and Korg

Thor: Ragnarok also presented Valkyrie and Korg, both of whom emerged in subsequent films, and it gave the Hulk his first solo film since 2008's The Incredible Hulk.

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In fact

It was Hulk's role in Thor: Ragnarok that made the film so important for the MCU's future, demonstrating that 2 or even more champions could start sharing a solo film. Captain America: Civil War did a similar thing, but the 2016 film felt more like an Avengers film than a standalone production.

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Ragnarok  introduced 

Ragnarok, on the other hand, pioneered the concept of solo MCU films set to star not only the main hero but also one or two other major characters from the film series. That method would alter the MCU's destiny.

Hulk/Bruce Banner got a lot of screen time in Ragnarok

Hulk/Bruce Banner got a lot of screen time in Ragnarok, and he wasn't just a glorified cameo like Iron Man was in Spider-Man: Pep rally. This new dynamic among two major MCU characters sharing a solo film started working so well in Ragnarok that it was managed to carry over to other films in the franchise, including Spider-Man and Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange, and Wanda in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Craziness, Thor with Protectors and Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder, and Carol Danvers in The Marvels.

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The MCU has expanded to the point

The MCU has expanded to the point where solo films can sometimes be viewed as independent films, particularly after Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Ragnarok demonstrated that two major protagonists can coexist in a single film and that the Avengers films are not the only place where a superhero team-up can occur.

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Thor was the main character in Ragnarok

Thor was obviously the main personality in Ragnarok, but the Hulk's Ragnarok arc was also significant, and it would carry over into Infinity War and Endgame. Finding that balance, however, isn't always easy, as evidenced by Scarlet Witch's story being nearly the most important emotional arc in Dr. Strange 2. In any case, Marvel would have to deal with audience members' preconceptions of team members and cameos, even in solo films, particularly now that the MCU has embraced the multiverse.

Thor: Love and Thunder appear to be carrying on everything

Thor: Thunder and Love Thor: Ragnarok appears to be continuing all that made Taika Waititi's first film so special, but it is the tried-and-true strategy of two heroes sharing a solo film that is the true MCU legacy of Thor: Ragnarok. MCU films starring only one superhero are currently the exception rather than the rule. It will be interesting to see if this is a Phase 4 phenomenon or if it will continue into MCU Phase 5 and beyond.

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