Haven't you heard? You can now book your Cineworld tickets for Thor: Love and Thunder. The latest Marvel Studios blockbuster promises to uncork a host of action, humour and romance upon its release this summer.
Here's why you need to pick the godliest seat in Cineworld and revel in the madness.
1. Director Taika Waititi returns to the world of Thor
With 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, quirky Kiwi helmer Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) rejuvenated the Thor series with more than a dash of colour and zany humour. A clearly re-energised Chris Hemsworth was firmly on-board with Waititi's offbeat sensibilities, and Thor: Ragnarok was buoyed to critical acclaim, not to mention grosses of more than $800 million worldwide.
Now, the prodigal son returns for his second Thor movie. The first trailer has been set to the rockingly retro 'Sweet Child of Mine', a clear indication of the rock and roll principle that audiences so loved in Ragnarok. The latest Thor movie promises to burst with the kind of hilariously deadpan pauses, eye-popping visual aesthetic and bold musical decisions that we've come to expect from Waititi.
2. The Marvel Phase Four mythology moves in exciting new directions
This is the first time we've seen Thor on the big screen since the climax of Avengers: Endgame, and the first time we've seen him since the commencement of Marvel Phase Four. You'll remember that, at the end of Avengers: Endame, he partnered with the Guardians of the Galaxy and headed off for pastures (OK, universes) new, handing the godly baton to Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson).
Thor: Love and Thunder picks up with the amusing spectacle of a god attempting to not live like a god. This will certainly allow Hemsworth to build on the comic chops demonstrated in Ragnarok. And while his character development proceeds in unexpected directions, there are also changes afoot in the landscape.
After Hela (Cate Blanchett) destroyed the majestic Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, it's now seemingly been re-imagined as a Terry Gilliam-esque bureaucratic nightmare. Russell Crowe is also in the mix as the mighty Zeus, king of the Olympians. But all of these changes are but a mere appetiser for the big one...
3. There's a new Thor in town
Waititi has derived influence from Jason Aaron's 'Mighty Thor' comic book storyline, and in doing so has brought Natalie Portman's Jane Foster back into the fold. Absent since the events of Thor: The Dark World (her appearance in Avengers: Endgame was composed of archive footage), Jane has now recalibrated herself.
Jane is now wielding the hammer Mjolnir in her role as the Mighty Thor and has essentially filled the absence left by Thor himself. Not only an empowering storyline, it also advances Thor's own character development as, in Waititi's words, he explores "the idea of someone taking his place".
4. Christian Bale is being teased as the most sympathetic Marvel villain yet
The ex-Batman is now portraying the fearsome Gorr the God Butcher. And in the words of the film's key creatives, Bale's take on the character is destined to evoke complicated reactions, which may propel him to the top of the Marvel villain leaderboard.
5. It's been described as both a love story and the craziest Thor movie so far
Goofy as Waititi's sensibility is, it's always anchored by a sense of heart. His Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit bears this out, not to mention the poignant likes of Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In Thor: Love and Thunder, Waititi explains that he sought to strike a balance between "upping the ante" and fashioning a swooning continuation of the Thor/Jane Foster romance that has lain dormant for so long.
Throw in references to trashy Mills and Boon romance novels, Conan the Barbarian and much more besides, and Thor: Love and Thunder is set to be en enjoyably deranged gumbo of a blockbuster. We can't wait to tuck in.
Are you worthy of claiming your seat at Cineworld? Of course you are. Click here to book your tickets for Thor: Love and Thunder, opening on 7 July.
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