THOR's Death Makes MCU Jane Foster Even Worse

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Thor #705

If there was any doubt Marvel's comic book Jane Foster beat the movie version, Thor's death sealed it. Comic book fans have known that the clock was ticking down on Jane Foster's life for years. Since 2014, Jane has stood at the forefront of the Marvel Comics universe as the female Thor. Wielding the trusty hammer Mjolnir, she's proved herself in battle against everything from the Phoenix Force to Odin himself. But that story was always going to come to an end sooner rather than later.

The reason Jane Foster was worthy when Odinson wasn't was because she knew the world needed a Thor, and was prepared to pay a fearsome price. Jane was dying of cancer, and every time she turned to Thor it reversed the effect of the chemotherapy that was trying to keep her alive. Being a hero was literally killing her.

she had tossed Mjolnir into the Sun, accepting - and even embracing - death.

Jane Foster died a true hero, and the Marvel Universe will mourn the loss of one of its greats. At least, it will in the comics.

Contrast this Jane Foster to the character played by Natalie Portman in the MCU, though, and it becomes clear just how disappointing a job Marvel Studios has done with the same heroine. Jason Aaron's story shines a light on just who Jane Foster could have been had the films invested in her - indeed, who she should have been to global audiences.

A Poor Portrayal of a Key 'Thor' Character

The first two Thor films are generally numbered among Marvel's weaker movies, mainly complimented because of Tom Hiddleston's iconic portrayal of Loki (having become every bit as important to Marvel fans as most of the core Avengers). Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, however, is hardly a standout despite have the film's MacGuffin take over her body.

There are precious few similarities between the Jane of the comics and the Jane of the MCU. In the comics, Jane was introduced as a nurse who worked alongside Thor's human persona. In the movies, she's a plucky astrophysicist researching cosmic phenomena. The film's drastic rewrite of Jane's origin suggested Marvel viewed her as a "love interest," and secondary to the plot by skeptics. But as a scientist who viewed Thor as the answer to a lifelong intellectual pursuit, there was potential (which was soon abandoned).

The Avengers. Fans criticized Portman's performance, but in truth the script for The Dark World didn't give the actress a chance to shine.

Worse still, the film settled for using the rest of Foster's team as little more than comic relief. By the end of the film, viewers didn't have a reason to be invested in Jane. Compare this to the Jane Foster of the comics: a character who's become strong enough to star in her own solo title for the last four years.

Her final scenes in Thor #705 are poignant and heart-wrenching, as she stands an equal to Thor Odinson himself (if not superior), prepared to do what seems unfathomable to him. They haven't been a romantic couple for years, yet the flames of ion are still visible in Russell Dauterman's art. The two share a last, ionate kiss - at Jane's urging - and the female Thor reverts to her human form, and succumbs to her cancer.

And so the saga of Thor comes to an end, awarding Jane Foster a death as worthy of the legacy of Asgard as she was in life. So... is it too late to hope that Marvel could do the same with the movie version?

Jane Has Become An Afterthought To the MCU

As disappointing as Jane foster's characterization has been in the MCU, the problems are compounded by Ragnarok's handling of Thor and Jane's "break-up." Although Portman signed a three-picture deal, she became frustrated with behind-the-scenes drama at Marvel during production of Thor: The Dark World. Portman was considering taking a break from acting at the time in order to focus on her newborn son.

She was tempted back into acting by the promise of a "Romeo & Juliet meets Thor" pitch that would see Portman as a co-star. Unfortunately, Marvel had other ideas, and Jenkins left after only two months on the project. There have been reports that Jenkins's departure wasn't exactly on good , and that Portman, who had pushed for Marvel to make Jenkins the first female director or a superhero blockbuster, was particularly displeased. Whatever the truth of those rumors, Portman did not return for The Dark World's reshoots.

Then came Taika Waititi's Jaimie Alexander's Sif was unavailable for filming, which may be all that saved her from sharing a similar fate.

RELATED: Burning Questions We Have After Thor: Ragnarok

But the romance with Jane Foster was the most startling of all: Thor and Jane had broken up. That revelation was tossed out in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it mention, bereft of emotion, with minimal impact. The message was clear: forget about Jane, she's not a part of Thor's story. After two films centered on the character, that's a pretty remarkable move by Marvel.

Is There Any Way to Redeem Jane Foster?

Believe it or not, it isn't too late for Jane Foster. The simple truth is that Marvel Comics hasn't always had a good history when it comes to Jane Foster, either. Back in the Silver Age she was nothing more than your traditional "damsel in distress." It took time (and skilled writers) to develop Jane as a character, with Jason Aaron's modern run fairly remarkable in its treatment of Jane, exploring her history and motivations in a deeper way than any comic book arc has to date.

That's the key to redeeming Jane Foster: hire a writer who's invested in the character, and who has a vision for her. Portman is a skilled actress, but so far she hasn't been given the best material to work with. If the rumors of behind-the-scenes drama at Marvel are right, she had good reason to be frustrated. But Marvel is, in no small sense, a different company now than it was then.

When Portman worked with them Ike Perlmutter was still in charge, and directors were struggling to deal with the Marvel Creative Committee. Marvel Studios has since been separated out from the rest of Marvel Entertainment, and Portman is willing to return to the MCU.

Thor crafts a new weapon in Avengers: Infinity War.

The character of Jane Foster may not have been treated well by Marvel so far, but there's no reason the future can't fix mistakes of thew past.

MORE: Jane Foster is Marvel's Best Thor So They're Killing Her