Thor’s strongest weapon gets a new design according to a brilliant MCU theory, suggesting Thor 5 may see the God of Thunder get a huge power upgrade.

A new MCU fan theory suggests that Mjolnir may become even stronger in Thor 5, giving Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder a huge power upgrade in his next Marvel Studios adventure. Mjolnir has been a huge part of Thor’s MCU journey since his debut in 2011’s eponymous Thor. Initially, Thor was the only MCU character worthy enough to wield Mjolnir, but several other heroes have swung the hammer in the years since, including Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Steve Rogers’ Captain America in Avengers: Endgame, and Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder, but a new theory suggests Thor may retrieve his beloved weapon in Thor 5.​​​​​​​

Marvel Studios’ Thor 5 hasn’t yet been officially announced, but recent rumors suggest that Chris Hemsworth will be returning for a fifth solo project in the MCU. Following the disappointing performance of 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder, there is speculation that Thor 5 will be taking on a darker tone, veering away from the comedic tones established by director Taika Waititi in Thor: Ragnarok. If Thor is pitted against a villain that’s “somehow more formidable” than Hela, Thor: Ragnarok’s Goddess of Death, as Waititi suggested in the Thor: Love and Thunder – The Official Movie Special book, the God of Thunder will need a major power upgrade in Thor 5.

Could Loki Lift Mjolnir After Loki Season 2’s Ending?

Lifting Mjolnir is an MCU litmus test for whether a character is truly heroic. After Loki’s actions at the end of Loki season 2, would he be worthy?

Thor Could Upgrade Mjolnir With Thunderbolt In Thor 5

A new Reddit theory suggests that Thor could combine Mjolnir with his new weapon in Thor 5, creating an even stronger version of the mythical hammer. During Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor acquired the lightning bolt-shaped Thunderbolt weapon from Zeus, which proved to be pivotal in empowering Asgard’s children to help in the final battle against Gorr the God Butcher. Mjolnir also returned in Love and Thunder, being wielded by Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor despite having been destroyed in Thor: Ragnarok. To protect Foster, Mjolnir reformed its broken pieces, with lightning illuminating its cracks, and this same effect could be displayed if Mjolnir is combined with Thunderbolt in Thor 5​​​​​​​.

In a 2020 Marvel Comics storyline, Mjolnir’s broken pieces came together after the weapon was inhabited by the spirit of Odin, gifting the hammer a kintsugi design as its cracks popped with a golden glow. If Thor brings Mjolnir and Thunderbolt together in Thor 5, it’s possible that Thunderbolt’s golden glow could give Mjolnir a similar design, so while Odin himself may not be inhabiting the hammer, the combined force of Mjolnir and Thunderbolt would create the most powerful weapon the MCU has ever seen. This would give Thor a huge power upgrade for his next MCU adventure, and could bring him one step closer to his own brother’s destiny.​​​​​​​

Mjolnir’s Theorized Design Mirrors Loki’s New Costume Perfectly

If Mjolnir acquires a kintsugi-style design after being enhanced with Zeus’ Thunderbolt, this could be the perfect reflection of the new costume for Thor’s brother, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. In the finale of Loki season 2, Loki became the protector of the multiverse, and received a new outfit to boot, acquiring a brand-new horned helmet, which also has a kintsugi design inspired by the rock in which the Citadel at the End of Time was carved. Should Thor’s hammer get a kintsugi design in Thor 5, a clear connection to his lost brother can be established, perhaps even hinting at Thor and Loki reuniting at some point in the MCU’s future.