Marvel Studios once again stole the show at San Diego Comic-Con when they unveiled their phase 4 slate for not just movies but Disney+ shows as well. Some of the projects include Black Widow, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, The Eternals, Shang-Chi and Thor 4 AKA Thor: Love and Thunder. However, the slate does not include the likes of Captain Marvel 2, Black Panther 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 — these films are currently in development and will most likely be part of phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
All of this is very exciting news. But the inclusion of Thor 4 on the phase 4 slate without Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has caused many fans to wonder where exactly the Taika Waititi film fits in the timeline. After all, at the end of Avengers: Endgame, we see Thor pass the proverbial throne of Asgard to Valkyrie before jetting off with Rocket Raccoon and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Now, writer/director James Gunn who will be helming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has cleared the air by saying that Thor 4 will be taking place before the third chapter of Guardians of the Galaxy.
On James Gunn’s Instagram post celebrating Endgame‘s box office success, a fan asked if Thor: Love and Thunder is taking place before or after Guardians of the Galaxy 3. To which the acclaimed director responded with one word: “before.”
Naturally, we now have more questions. I mean did Thor suddenly say “haha! Gotcha. I’m not joining you fools before hopping off the GOTG spaceship?” Well, whatever the case may be, I trust that Kevin Feige and his band of creatives have already thought about how to make everything fit seamlessly.
And if you’re wondering why Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 isn’t part of the phase 4 lineup, it’s because James Gunn is currently working hard over at Warner Bros/DC on his Suicide Squad soft reboot. The director confirmed just as much on Twitter:
“Guardians Vol. 3 IS happening, but I am finishing The Suicide Squad first.”
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1152799425644892160
Thor 4 will be releasing in theatres on 5 November 2021.
