10 Directors Who’d Be Perfect For The MCU’s Thor 5

Although there has been no confirmation from Marvel Studios, Thor 5 is rumored to be in development for the MCU, and there are several acclaimed directors who could helm the potential Chris Hemsworth-led sequel. Chris Hemsworth debuted as Thor in 2011’s eponymous Phase 1 project, and has since gone on to become one of the most important figures in the MCU, so far having starred in four solo films. At the end of 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder, Hemsworth was confirmed to be returning in the MCU’s future, and though it hasn’t yet been confirmed when this might be, recent speculation suggests that Thor 5 could be put into development.

Speculation surrounding Marvel Studios’ potential Thor 5 emerged following Taika Waititi’s comments in Marvel’s Thor 4: Love and Thunder Movie Special Book noting that Thor 5’s villain would be “somehow more formidable” than Hela. Waititi joined Marvel Studios to direct 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok after its 2013 predecessor was met with a mixed response, and it revolutionized the God of Thunder in the MCU. Nevertheless, the 2022 follow-up, Thor: Love and Thunder, wasn’t met with such a positive reception, which has left Waititi’s future in the MCU uncertain. While Waititi could certainly return to direct Thor 5, there are several directors who could also lead Chris Hemsworth’s future MCU project.

10 Taika Waititi

When Taika Waititi joined Marvel Studios in 2017 to direct Thor: Ragnarok, Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder was in a tough spot, having come off the disappointing performance of Thor: The Dark World. Waititi’s experience writing and directing comedy projects including Eagle vs Shark, What We Do in the Shadows, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople allowed him to transform Thor into a more comedic superhero in the MCU, which worked perfectly in Ragnarok, but not so well in Thor: Love and Thunder. Nevertheless, Waititi is an acclaimed director, so could perhaps learn from his mistakes for Thor 5, potentially even recapturing the magic and popularity that he instilled with Ragnarok​​​​​​.

9 Sam Hargrave

Sam Hargrave is an actor, stunt coordinator, and director who made his directorial debut with 2020’s Extraction, which starred Chris Hemsworth in an action thriller storyline based on the Russo Brothers’ graphic novel “Ciudad”. Hargrave already has an intimate knowledge of how Marvel Studios works, as he has worked as a stunt coordinator on several MCU projects including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Hargrave’s direction of Extraction and its 2023 sequel was strong, so he could be the perfect candidate to direct Chris Hemsworth in a more action-packed Thor 5, veering away from Love and Thunder’s comedy.

8 Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau has retained a strong relationship with Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige since directing the MCU’s first project, 2008’s Iron Man. Favreau returned to direct 2010’s Iron Man 2, cementing his intimate knowledge of the Marvel Studios machine. Favreau hasn’t directed a project for the MCU since Iron Man 2, so he may be itching to get involved behind the scenes of the MCU again, despite him having portrayed Happy Hogan on-screen several times. Favreau is a beloved director, so it would be great to see him return as director to capture the MCU’s early magic in a future Thor 5.

7 Patty Jenkins

Patty Jenkins’ experience working as a director for the DC Extended Universe would perhaps make her the perfect fit for a potential Thor 5. Jenkins rose to fame after directing 2003’s Academy Award-winning Monster and hit more success after delivering Diana Prince’s origin story in 2017’s Wonder Woman – widely regarded as one of the DCEU’s strongest projects. Jenkins was previously hired to direct Thor: The Dark World, but departed due to creative differences. However, Marvel Studios has come a long way since then, and Jenkins’ experience exploring the mythology of Wonder Woman’s backstory would make her perfect for some of Thor 5’s heroes, including Valkyrie and the Mighty Thor.

6 Jordan Peele

Previously known as one half of the comedy double-act Key and Peele, Jordan Peele made his directorial debut with the 2017 horror film Get Out, which was closely followed by smash-hits including 2019’s Us and 2022’s Nope. His extra work on horror-inspired projects Candyman and Wendell & Wild makes Peele one of the foremost horror directors of the modern age, which might be a perfect path for Thor 5 to follow. Thor: Love and Thunder began to tease horror elements in Thor’s MCU story, specifically with the introduction of the sinister Gorr the God Butcher, so Jordan Peele directing Thor 5 can turn this to the max.

5 Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead

Directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have a great deal of experience bringing stylized and original horror films to the big and small screens, having directed projects such as The Endless, Synchronic, and Archive 81. What sets them apart from other directors such as Jordan Peele, however, is that Benson and Moorhead already have experience working with Marvel Studios, as they worked on Phase 4’s Moon Knight and Phase 5’s Loki season 2. After delivering some of the strongest and most shocking episodes of Loki, Benson and Moorhead directing Thor 5 would allow the pair to continue Loki’s story, and potentially reunite Thor and Loki in the MCU.

4 Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh may be an unorthodox choice to direct Thor 5, as he already had his spin with Marvel Studios directing 2011’s original Thor project. However, Branagh did a great job at introducing Chris Hemsworth to the MCU, and departed from Marvel Studios amicably, so it’s possible he could return to helm Thor 5. Branagh is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his generation, delivering projects including Murder on the Orient Express, Belfast, and several film adaptations of the works of William Shakespeare. Branagh could bring more serious tones back to the MCU’s Thor franchise while keeping some of the light-heartedness that Thor delivered back in his original adventure.

3 Guillermo Del Toro

Guillermo Del Toro’s work has often been inspired by fairy tales, horror, monsters, and poetry, all of which could come together to make the most revolutionary and original Thor project in the MCU yet. Del Toro’s intense passion for mythology makes him a perfect fit to direct Thor 5, particularly if the potential project delves deeper into Asgard’s own backstory, or the clash of two different pantheons if Hercules and Thor battle in Thor 5. Del Toro has worked on superhero films before, including Blade II and Hellboy, so perhaps would be open to joining Marvel Studios to bring a completely new spin to Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder.

2 Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers is relatively new on the scene, having directed only three projects including 2015’s The Witch, 2019’s The Lighthouse, and 2022’s The Northman. Eggers’ work focuses primarily on folklore and mythology, which fits the bill for the MCU’s Thor franchise, and his work on The Northman could be the perfect blueprint for Thor 5. The Northman explores Norse mythology in great detail, which can be translated into the MCU beautifully with Eggers’ signature cinematography style and expressionist influences. The history of Asgard and Thor’s complex MCU timeline would benefit from Eggers’ visionary direction.

1 The Russo Brothers

Joe and Anthony Russo are fan-favorite directors of several MCU projects including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Although there has been no sign of them coming back to direct future MCU projects, there have been many calls for the Russo Brothers to return, and Thor 5 might provide the perfect opportunity, as they can revitalize Thor in the same way they did Steve Rogers. The Russo Brothers’ intense knowledge of the Marvel Studios process and their strong relationship with the studio and Kevin Feige makes their return almost inevitable, and they could really show off their brilliance with Thor 5​​​​​​​.

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