MCU costume designer says a major Thor character keeps getting cut
An MCU costume designer has revealed that there is one major Thor comic book character who keeps getting cut whenever the MCU tries to include him.
There's a Marvel Cinematic Universe character who, despite being a major Thor character, gets cut every time he shows up. The Thor series revolves around the relationship between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and their complicated feelings for their parents. While Thor: Ragnarok saw the destruction of Asgard, the bond between the brothers remains an important part of the story, as Hela (Cate Blanchett) is secretly their half-brother. Like the sister's revelation, they must contend with their father's legacy throughout the project, especially after his sudden and shocking death.
However, the brothers secretly have another half-sibling waiting. In the comics, Thor and Loki are also related to Odin's other child, Balder the Brave. Balder almost starred as Doctor Strange's Illuminati in the Multiverse of Madness, a friend of the Warriors trio, and was initially introduced as an invulnerable character with incredible warrior skills. In an interview with ComicBook.com, MCU costume designer Graham Churchyard revealed that Balder was originally intended to appear in multiple MCU projects, but the character was sadly cut each time. look at his offer Below:
We got very far designing Balder the Brave, and then we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting on casting. I took it to a prototype stage, we were kind of in that design thing, getting fabrics together and ideas and waiting for an actor. Poor Balder the Brave, he almost made Thor 1, and Thor 2, and Thor 3, if I can simplify that. Then, it's just like, 'Yay! He's gonna get an appearance!' Poor guy. I've seen designs Marvel's archive book of Balder's helmet going back to Kenneth Branagh's Thor. So, he's been a long time waiting, and I don't think he's gonna make an appearance any time soon. Because of this stupid thing called COVID there was a travel ban, and I was unable to go to the States. I live in the UK here on the south coast. Basically, it got to a point where they... They had another couple of characters that were back in the design stage in the UK like Balder the Brave and because oof just the way that we couldn't bring a lot of these actors over because of travel ban in reverse and sort of constraints... We couldn't bring Patrick Stewart over to shoot at the same time as Hayley Atwell. Hayley Atwell was into M:I 7 and other things. So, this sort of dream of getting the Illuminati all in one room at the same time didn't happen in London. It just about happened in LA over something like a six-month time span which is an extraordinary thing. It's like, the Illuminati, when I got those pages, it's just like, 'This is like a whole movie in itself because it could just expand so much.'
Where Might Balder The Brave Appear In The MCU?
With Asgard destroyed, if Balder does manage to find a place in the MCU, he may not be in his ancestral home, but that doesn't mean he won't have a place in the story. Balder has previously reigned as Lord of Hel, which may give him a chance to emerge with some creativity. If the warrior is already killed, or if continuity is adjusted so that Balder dies in the destruction of Asgard, he will be able to emerge as a potential ruler of Valhalla. This gave Jane Foster a chance to appear after Thor: Love and Thunder, and it gave Heimdall another chance.
If Balder hadn't left, he may have lived among the people of Asgard as a secret royal. Living under Valkyrie's rule, Balder may bide his time before revealing his true heritage. After all, with Odin's death and Hela's presence, Thor's secret half-sibling could come under suspicion. Balder may have meant well, but he should be smart enough to know when to lie low after all the devastation that has occurred Destroyed Asgard for years. Chris Hemsworth wants Thor's next MCU appearance to be his last, which means Marvel will need a new Asgardian hero to take his place. Like Valkyrie, Balder could be that hero.
If Balder doesn't have a major role in the MCU, there's still something for the character to shine. As Kang prepares to unleash multiverse chaos on the Avengers, Balder could appear in other universes to team up with the heroes of Earth-616. Avengers: Reign of Kang and Avengers: Secret War are likely to be massive productions, bringing together as many heroes as Avengers: Endgame. There's no better place for Balder to enter the MCU than this, as he'll be taking on a lighthearted role in the fight. Unfortunately, with Daniel Craig dropping out as Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness as Baldr, the MCU may have to find another actor entirely, so it remains to be seen who gets to play Thor's half-brother.
