Kenneth Branagh directed Thor and brought a new realm into focus with a segment of the film set on Asgard. Aside from the godly figures, Asgard was made up of a race of extraterrestrials that possessed technology and powers that resembled magic. At the center of the film was the heir to the Asgardian throne, who was exiled to Earth after going against his father's orders. Thor also introduced other races among the galaxy and gave a better glimpse into how S.H.I.E.L.D. truly operated.
As a whole, Phase 1 of the MCU was key in setting the tone of the franchise. The first few installments debuted the crucial figures before the first team-up movie in 2012. And Phase 2 began steering the narrative towards the Infinity Saga, but that wouldn't have been possible without the release of Thor and the way the movie put the Marvel Universe in the spotlight for the first time.
Thor Set Up The Marvel Universe For Phase 2
For the first time in the MCU, Thor expanded on the various conflicts on Earth by introducing the existence of Asgard. The mystical planetary body was home to the people humans viewed as deities of Norse mythology. Among them was Thor Odinson, the God of Thunder, who was set to take the throne as King of Asgard from his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins). After Thor reignited tensions with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, Odin banished Thor to Earth after stripping away his powers. Not only did Thor encounter Earth for the first time but S.H.I.E.L.D. was given a taste of other worlds within the galaxy.
While in New Mexico, Thor met astrophysicist Nine Realms and the Bifrost Bridge, the ageway between worlds. The film focused on Asgard, Jotunheim, and Midgard (Earth), but just the mention of other realms proved that the focus of the MCU would soon be expanding in Phase 1 while shaping Phase 2.
Whereas Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and The Incredible Hulk focused on threats stemming from science and technology on Earth, Thor opened the door to otherworldly concerns. Even though the Bifrost was damaged, it was obvious that conflict would be heading to Earth. That came in the hands of Battle of New York in The Avengers. The evergrowing MCU universe then became a key focus of Phase 2 and beyond. The follow-up phase expanded on tension among the realms while introducing the Guardians of the Galaxy as well as Ultron, artificial intelligence that was powered by the Mind Stone.
The Avengers Wouldn't Have Worked Without Thor
Not only did Thor explain the vast size of the galaxy, but the film also set up the first major MCU event with 2012's The Avengers. Loki stopped at nothing to prove his worthiness, but in doing so, he made himself an enemy to the Asgardians. The Thor post-credits scene revealed that the God of Thunder's adoptive brother had his sights set on the Thanos, a warlord on the hunt to acquire all six Infinity Stones.
With Loki and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) responsible for opening the wormhole, allowing the extraterrestrials to reach Earth, it was made clear that Thor's cast served as the anchor to primary conflict. Of course, the movie was headlined by the Avengers teaming up for the first time, but it wouldn't have been necessary without many of the characters being first introduced in Thor. The Battle of New York marked the first time that several of the Avengers faced enemies that weren't human. Furthermore, the Chitauri invasion left a mark on Earth, in addition to the Avengers, who dealt with the fallout in the remainder of Phase 2 and beyond, ultimately setting them on the path towards Avengers: Endgame.
Thor Was The First Truly Different Superhero Movie
Superhero movies were certainly nothing new when the MCU launched in 2008. That said, Thor was the first installment set in that genre that offered a wider scope of the universe beyond Earth. Characters from Marvel, DC Comics, as well as other franchises were adapted for live-action well before the MCU. Sam Raimi's The Dark Knight films set the tone for modern-day superhero adaptations. Even though they introduced compelling villains and concepts, they were still set on Earth. The first three installments of the MCU followed the same formula, but Thor purposely broadened the focus.
The 2011 movie effectively brought viewers to Asgard while also setting up and explaining other branches of the greater universe. Thor allowed the MCU to travel back and forth between realms to tie-in storylines for the narrative's bigger pictures. And the God of Thunder's role in the galaxy paved the way for other galactic beings to ultimately the fold. There was a sense of cohesion thanks in part to the elements shown in Thor. The film also opened the eyes of viewers by representing the mind-bending mythos behind some of the most interesting comic book characters. So without Thor, it's difficult to say if a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy would've worked - or been made at all.
Thor Can Still Shape The MCU In Phase 4
Out of the original of the Avengers, Thor is the only one who still has a clear and key role in the MCU going forward. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) are dead, and female incarnation of Thor.
As the only remaining original character to get another solo sequel in Phase 4, Thor: Love and Thunder has the opportunity to accomplish another reshaping of the MCU. Thor can become the glue that holds the original team while also setting the foundation for the new generation of heroes to take the lead in Phase 5 and beyond. His fellow Asgardians now call Earth home, so his focus is on protecting his people as well as the well-being of innocent races in the galaxy. The next Thor sequel can show how the MCU will implement new storylines while hanging on to some of the franchise's fan-favorite figures who started it all.
