When last we saw Natalie Portman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she was helping the Asgardian Avenger save the world from the Aether-infused Malekith in Thor: The Dark World. Jane Foster was then briefly mentioned by Thor again during some party talk in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but has since fallen off the radar. We know she won’t play a part in Thor: Ragnarok, so will she ever return to this moneymaker superhero franchise?
According to Portman, that’s a likely no. During an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said:
As far as I know, I'm done. I don't know if, maybe one day, they'll ask for an Avengers 7 or whatever. I have no idea! But as far as I know I'm done. But it was a great thing to be a part of.
Unless you’re a Chris Hemsworth or a Robert Downey Jr., the bigger Marvel whales who headline these major blockbusters, it’s difficult to know when they’ll pop up again. Some actors have implied a play-it-by-ear scenario, where they’ll film cameos or subplots for films as needed. Anthony Mackie, for one, didn’t know he was going to be a member of the New Avengers until the credits rolled on Age of Ultron at a premiere screening.
Marvel President Kevin Feige explained that Thor: Ragnarok focuses almost exclusively in the cosmos, which is why Jane won’t make an appearance. However, the studio giant cast a new female lead in the form of Creed star Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, a warrior woman charged with ferrying souls to Valhalla. The character also has a relationship with Thor in the comics, so perhaps it’ll extend to the big screen.
Portman has since moved on to her own pursuits, including playing Jackie Kennedy in Jackie and featuring in Annihilation from Ex Machina director Alex Garland. She also directed the Israeli historic drama A Tale of Love and Darkness.
