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Popular media is starting to embrace a more plump Thor than we are used to, but what does that say about our ideas of power, strength and depression?
After being teased in a hidden ending in 2018’s God of War, fans of Santa Monica Studio’s mythology-laden adventure have gotten a much better look at the appearance of Thor in the upcoming sequel, God of War: Ragnarok. Amidst the fanfare coming out of the PlayStation Showcase, onlookers have been quick to make the comparison of the PlayStation interpretation to that of Thor in Avengers: Endgame, with both versions of the character subverting the trope of the god of thunder being a muscle-bound Adonis.
The comparison is a fairly easy one to make but, when digging deeper into the inspiration and creative direction of these two different Thor variants, there is an interesting conversation to be had about why they might be packing a few more pounds than the popular image of Odinson. What has led to the popularity of the popular, modern take on Thor?
In the MCU, the change in his physique is a manifestation of his depression and meteoric fall in self-esteem. By the time we meet the portlier version of Thor in his home in Norway in Endgame, the lightning rider has gone through a lot. Both of his parents have passed onto Valhalla, his relationship with Jane Foster has crumbled, Mjolnir has been destroyed by Hela, Asgard was completely destroyed, his close friends and his brother killed — and that’s before Endgame even begins. All that keeps Thor going is his determination as the protector of the Nine Realms, that even after so much personal loss he can continue to fight for the betterment of the universe as a whole. But, even this fades to black. Thor couldn’t stop Thanos, and ultimately, he blames himself for not being able to take down the Mad Titan. Though Stormbringer does eventually get to behead Thanos as he feels he should have in the first place, it is a hollow victory.
By the time we regroup with Thor, he has let himself go massively. Endgame shows how self-care and nutrition can take a backseat in the wake of trauma and mental collapse. As Rocket and Hulk hope to bring the Odinson back into the fold, Valkyrie gives the audience a little more insight into Thor’s state, letting viewers know he has essentially become a hermit that only leaves the house for more alcohol. A cottage littered with beer cans and empty pizza boxes shows the comfort Thor has sought in food and drink, resulting in his new look.
While details about Thor’s presence and character in God of War: Ragnarok are still sparse, with only the newest trailer to go on, fans have started to speculate whether Santa Monica Studios’ similarly rotund interpretation exists in the same vein. This version of Thor, played by Ryan Hurst, will have experienced similar trauma in his relatively recent history. Those who played 2018’s God of War may remember Modi and Magni, a pair of brothers sent to hunt down Kratos and Atreus. The important wrinkle here is that the siblings are also sons of Thor, and both met a grisly end — Magni receiving the Leviathan Axe through the skull and Modi becoming Atreus’ first kill with a knife to the neck.
Meanwhile, others have been quick to point out that Ragnarok’s heavier thunder god is actually in line with Norse mythology and an accurate depiction of strength and power. Popular imagery of Thor has been largely influenced by his appearances in Marvel Comics and on the big screen, wherein he is more often than not in tremendous physical shape. While a cut definition and washboard abs can be features of a strong person, they’re not the end-all, be-all. Just taking a look at something like Olympic powerlifting or the World’s Strongest Man competitions, you’ll struggle to find someone who has that shredded physique we’ve come to associate with superheroes and gods. The most likely creative direction of Ragnarok Thor’s thiccness is this traditional image of strength, possessing a power-belly rather than a beer-belly, and having more in common with Brian Shaw than with Homer Simpson.
The usage of these body types are both welcome additions to their respective fandoms, as frankly, both video games and movies have had so many muscle-freaks that they start to blend together. It is also crucial to reflect that neither of these characters are designed in this way to simply include cheap fat jokes. Clearly, Ragnarok‘s Thor is taking a more accurate approach to the character’s true body type, with no comedy intended whatsoever. Admittedly, the inclusion of ‘Thicc Thor’ in the MCU does begin as a piece of comedy, having been accustomed to Hemsworth’s fit portrayal for nearly a decade only to suddenly and drastically change that appearance, but the important thing is that Thor’s weight gain is part of a wider arc, a character detail that feeds into his path to regaining self-actualization. Both these takes on Thor are unique while telling a powerful story, and the reception from fans proves that these takes are working.
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