Natalie Portman Talks About the Difference Between Playing Jane Foster and The Mighty Thor

The last time we saw Natalie Portman in the MCU (in person) was when she played Jane Foster opposite Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in the 2013 movie, Thor: The Dark World. It was understood in the films that followed that Jane had broken up with Thor, and we didn’t get much closure on the subject, but we moved on. Now, Jane is returning to Thor’s life in Thor: Love and Thunder, and she’s coming back a changed woman.

The buff actress is returning to the story having taken on the mantle of The Mighty Thor, and she talked about the differences between playing Jane then and now in a recent press conference attended by /Film, saying:

"It was such an incredible way to explore a female superhero that could be quite vulnerable and weak and find strength in that and be more like a human I could relate to, personally. And then also I think it just gave me renewed respect for what Chris has been doing for over a decade, [what] Tessa's been doing, because I see how much work goes into it that I don't think I was aware of when I was in the first one. I didn't see everything that went on behind the scenes. And when I got insight into all of the choreography and the training and everything, I was like 'Wow, this is a triple job of what I was doing back then.'"

She then addressed how Thor and The Mighty Thor differ from one another, saying:

"[Thor and The Mighty Thor are] completely different. I think [Thor is] obviously very assured and experienced in being a superhero and she's just trying to figure it out. She's new at it. And also keeps reverting to human form. So there's a kind of danger always that like it might be her last moment getting to experience that."

I can’t wait for this movie, which promises to fill in the gaps regarding Thor and Jane’s breakup, and how Jane became her Mighty-ness that we see in the movie. Thor: Love and Thunder hits theatres on July 8th. Get your tickets now!