Many fans have theorized that Chris Hemsworth’s Thor will die in Avengers: Doomsday, but I’m convinced that isn’t going to happen – simply because of the comics that inspire the story. The Multiverse Saga is coming to an end in two blockbuster Avengers movies, Doomsday and Secret Wars, and many believe Earth’s Mightiest Heroes pay the ultimate price.

Chris Hemsworth is confirmed to be returning as part of Doomsday‘s cast, reprizing the role that he’s played for over a decade. As exciting as it may be to see Thor appear in the MCU again, though, Hemsworth’s presence has sparked speculation that the God of Thunder is about to make his last appearance.

Theories About Thor’s Death Have Run Rampant For Avengers: Doomsday

Chris Hemsworth’s Video Fueled The Fire

Fans have been theorizing about Thor’s death ever since 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder. It felt like Thor’s solo MCU story had already reached a conclusion when he joined the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Many were surprised about the fourth film in the Thor franchise, and it feels like there isn’t much else to do with the character.

When Hemsworth was confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday, the theories behind Thor’s death started to ramp up. Past Avengers films have not shied away from killing off major characters, with both Black Widow and Iron Man dying in Endgame. The other original core Avengers – Captain America, Hulk, and Hawkeye – have all taken a step back as well.

Considering that Hemsworth has been in the MCU for 15 years, he’s been around for so long that it just feels like his time in the franchise is almost up. The theories were especially fueled by the video that the actor posted at the end of May. Thanking fans for their support of the character, he paid tribute to Thor’s legacy.

Hemsworth’s video felt like a goodbye to the character. It’s eerily similar to another released by Chris Evans shortly before he retired as Captain America in Endgame, leaving many deeply concerned. It’s no wonder that fans seem sure about Thor dying in Avengers: Doomsday, as there doesn’t seem to be any other reason that the actor would need to bid farewell to Thor.

Avengers: Secret Wars’ Comic Source Material Shows Exactly Why The MCU Is Unlikely To Kill Thor Beforehand

Thor Plays A Key Role In Secret Wars

Although Thor’s MCU death feels imminent, there’s one key reason as to why Marvel won’t actually kill him off in Avengers: Doomsday. It’s because the God of Thunder is featured heavily in the Secret Wars comic book arc that’s being adapted into Avengers 6; if the MCU is adapting that series, then Marvel will need to keep Thor around.

In the comics, Secret Wars saw the entire Marvel multiverse collapse into a single world – Battleworld, a place where all the survivors lived, ruled by Doctor Doom. Naturally, the chaos of Battleworld would have been indescribable without powerful law enforcement; so Doom established a group called the Thor Corps, Doom’s personal police force, who served him without question.

The Thor Corps were made up of individuals across different realities who were all worthy of wielding Mjolnir – and many of them are versions of Thor Odinson himself. Secret Wars would frankly feel like something of a let-down without the Thor Corps, and that surely means Chris Hemsworth will be back for Avengers 6.

The Thor Corps Could Be Perfect For Thor’s MCU Arc

The Idea Of The Thor Corps Is Inherently Comedic

The concept of “variants” has been key to the Multiverse Saga, ever since Loki season 1; but it fell to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to show us just how Marvel can twist characters we already know into something new. It would be an exciting idea to see a similar concept to this, only with multiple variants of the same character.

The Thor Corps would arguably fit into the MCU’s current tonal approach for Thor, too. The Asgardian hero has experienced some great tragedies, but for better or for worse, he has shifted into a more comedic role. Both Thor: Ragnarok and Love and Thunder leaned into Thor’s humor, and Marvel could do the same with Avengers: Secret Wars.

There’s something inherently funny about the idea of an army of Thor variants reduced to serving as beat cops, and it would make a great way to show off the true scale of the multiverse – and Doom’s victory. Thor needs to make it to Avengers: Secret Wars if Marvel wants to use the Thor Corps, as killing him off in a major moment just to bring back his variants would destroy the emotional pacing.

It’s still completely possible that Thor will die in the MCU at some point. However, knowing how key the Thor Corps is to Secret Wars, it seems likely that Marvel will keep the character alive for now. Having him die in Avengers: Doomsday just before the Thor Corps make their debut would be a mistake, and hopefully, Marvel knows that.