Christian Bale Transitions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Possible ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Role

It’s been seven years since we saw Christian Bale don the Dark Knight’s cowl in Christopher Nolan’s groundbreaking Batman trilogy. Heck, it’s also been a while since he starred in a comic book movie—until now, that is. Taika Waititi’s upcoming sequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thor lore, Thor: Love and Thunder, just got powered up by yet another cast addition in Bale himself.

According to Collider, Bale is in early talks to join the fourth Thor movie in an undisclosed role. But if fan theories were to have its way, Bale could very well be playing Beta Ray Bill, a Korbinite alien warrior who was deemed worthy to wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Bill is a member of the various incarnations of Thor, also known as the Thor Corps.

However, Bale’s casting hasn’t been officially confirmed as of this writing, so take it with a grain of salt for now.

Thor: Love and Thunder will be Waititi’s second directorial effort within the MCU and will see Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster become the female version of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. In the comics, Jane is granted Thor’s powers after a mysterious secret uttered by Nick Fury to Thor strips him of his ability to wield the Mjolnir. Jane, who also happens to be suffering from breast cancer at the time, stepped in to defend Asgard from Malekith and Roxxon.

Tessa Thompson will also reprise her role as Valkyrie, now the reigning King of New Asgard after Thor left to scour the cosmos with the Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Endgame.

Bale is currently seen in James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari as British race car driver Ken Miles alongside Matt Damon as automotive designer Caroll Shelby. Bale got a Best Actor nod for Ford V Ferrari during the 77th Golden Globe Awards and is also up for a SAG Award for his performance in the same movie.

Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on November 5, 2021.