Thor 4: Fat Thor’s Story Should Be Used To Fix A Star-Lord Problem

Star-Lord is confirmed to appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, presenting an opportunity for Thor to help Peter Quill overcome the trauma of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Thor and Star-Lord have previously had a rocky relationship, but each of their recent experiences could come together in a really poignant and effective way in Taiki Watiti’s upcoming Thor sequel.

Thor first encountered Quill and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy during Avengers: Infinity War when the Guardians answered a distress signal, only to discover the God of Thunder lost and floating in space after Thanos’s destruction of the Asgardians’ ship. Thor and Quill immediately developed a rivalry of sorts, with Thor’s muscular physique and commanding presence rendering Quill more than a little insecure. The duo eventually overcame their differences in a coordinated effort to defeat Thanos, but the tension between them has undoubtedly lingered.

Now, Star-Lord may need a support system like Thor more than ever before. Star-Lord’s Phase 4 story will likely focus on the guilt he feels in the wake of the Infinity Saga. He had an opportunity to defeat Thanos before his snap erased half of the world’s population but failed to do so. While Endgame obviously reversed the effects of Thanos’ snap, Star-Lord will likely still be reeling, especially after nearly losing Gamora permanently. Thor, or perhaps more accurately “Fat Thor,” knows a thing or two about overcoming failure and guilt. If these two can overcome their differences, Thor: Love and Thunder just might have a fascinating opportunity on its hands.

Thor, like Star-Lord, failed to defeat Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. In response, Thor grew obese and resigned himself to playing video games and drinking beer in his home in New Asgard. He rejected life as a hero and accepted a new life as a hermit of sorts. Of course, throughout Avengers: Endgame, Thor gradually comes to terms with his failure to defeat Thanos and accepts a second chance at heroism. Star-Lord now has a second chance himself. Thanos is gone, and his daughter Gamora is back with the Guardians. Quill could have a new lease on life, but his emotional state is likely to be fairly fragile. Therefore, an unlikely alliance with Thor may be just what the doctor ordered for the Guardians’ leader.

The duo previously bickered over meaningless notions of masculinity, but they could come together as a rather progressive example of the MCU’s men supporting one another beyond physical violence. Emotional support is what Star-Lord needs more than anything else, and while he may receive that in part from his fellow Guardians, it’s also safe to say Rocket Raccoon’s wisecracking ways, Groot’s limited language and Drax being, well, Drax may not be quite enough for Quill as he struggles with PTSD. Rather, he needs someone who can understand how he feels and what he is going through. Who better than Thor, whose character has experienced one of the deepest transformations in the entire MCU? Chris Pratt and Chris Hemsworth have demonstrated impeccable comedic chemistry, so Marvel Studios will likely look to maintain the sense of humor that has driven their interactions thus far. Still, there is potential in Thor: Love and Thunder for the duo to achieve something much greater.