10 Most Wasted MCU Characters In The Thor Movies

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced many iconic characters. However, the Thor series has often underutilized some of its most captivating figures. Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of Thor has solidified the character as a central figure. Yet, many of his allies and supporting characters have been neglected or mishandled.

This pattern is frustrating, especially given the depth and potential of some of these figures. They could have brought much more to the story if handled with greater care. Whether due to a lack of screen time, weak writing, or imbalanced storytelling, these characters have been left with unfulfilled potential.

The Thor films have varied in tone, from the Shakespearean drama of Thor (2011) to the lighthearted humor of Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and the divisive spectacle of Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). These shifts kept the series interesting but also contributed to the inconsistent treatment of supporting characters. The expansive world of Thor, filled with compelling allies and formidable foes, often takes a backseat to the main character, leaving many characters underdeveloped.

10. Idris Elba's Heimdall

Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, & Thor: Love And Thunder

Heimdall, portrayed by Idris Elba, was a character with great potential that was largely wasted. As the all-seeing guardian of the Bifrost, Heimdall’s powers and his deep connection to Asgard should have made him a key ally in Thor’s journey. However, he often remained relegated to a secondary role, primarily serving as a plot device to transport characters between realms.

Even when given more prominence in Thor: Ragnarok, his contributions remained minimal. His death in Avengers: Infinity War felt like an afterthought. For a character of Heimdall's mythological significance and Elba’s immense talent, his treatment in the MCU is a missed opportunity.

9. Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher

Thor: Love And Thunder

Christian Bale’s portrayal of Gorr the God Butcher was one of the most anticipated aspects of Thor: Love and Thunder. In the comics, Gorr is a tragic and complex character, driven by the pain of personal loss and his hatred of the gods. While Bale’s performance captured some of this darkness, the film’s comedic tone undermined Gorr’s gravitas, turning him into a more surface-level antagonist.

With little screen time and limited development, Gorr’s potential as a formidable philosophical foil to Thor was largely unfulfilled. The film’s treatment of Gorr, especially considering the depth of the character in the comics, felt like a wasted opportunity for a truly compelling villain.

8. Joshua Dallas and Zachary Levi’s Fandral

Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Fandral, played first by Joshua Dallas and then by Zachary Levi, was a charismatic member of the Warriors Three with a personality ripe for humor and adventure. However, after his brief appearances in Thor and Thor: The Dark World, the character faded into the background, never given the chance to fully shine.

In Thor: Ragnarok, Fandral’s death was quick and devoid of any real emotional weight, which was a disservice to the character and the actors portraying him. Despite their charm, both Dallas and Levi were never given the opportunity to develop Fandral into the memorable figure he could have been.

7. Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith

Thor: The Dark World

Malekith, portrayed by Christopher Eccleston, is often cited as one of the MCU's least compelling villains. The character, who in the comics is a dark and complex force, was reduced to a generic antagonist with unclear motives in Thor: The Dark World. Despite Eccleston’s abilities, Malekith was stripped of much of his depth, and his vendetta against Asgard wasn’t explored meaningfully.

His visual design and powers suggested a formidable enemy, but his lack of development and weak backstory made him one of the more forgettable villains in the MCU.

6. Jamie Alexander’s Lady Sif

Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Love And Thunder

Lady Sif, played by Jamie Alexander, was a fierce warrior in Thor. But her role shrunk in the next films. She was barely seen in Thor: Ragnarok, with a quick explanation.

She made a brief comeback in Loki and Thor: Love and Thunder. But these appearances felt like afterthoughts. Sif was reduced to a comedic cameo, showing the MCU missed her potential.

5. Tadanobu Asano’s Hogun

Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Hogun, played by Tadanobu Asano, had a lot of potential. His stoic demeanor and martial skills could have added depth. But he got little screen time after the first film.

In Thor: Ragnarok, Hogun had a bigger role, but his death was sudden and lacked emotional impact. This showed how underutilized he was. For a character with such a unique presence, his handling was disappointing.

4. Brett Goldstein’s Hercules

Thor: Love And Thunder

Brett Goldstein's brief appearance as Hercules in Thor: Love and Thunder excited fans. It hinted at a showdown between Hercules and Thor. But the storyline remains unfulfilled, leaving fans wondering if it will happen.

3. Ray Stevenson’s Volstagg

Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Ray Stevenson's Volstagg brought warmth and humor to the first two Thor films. But his role dwindled. His death in Thor: Ragnarok was rushed and lacked emotion.

Despite Stevenson's engaging performance, Volstagg's potential was never fully explored. His fate was a significant disappointment, showing the MCU missed his character's depth.

2. Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster

Thor: Ragnarok

Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster was a standout in Thor: Ragnarok. His charm and unpredictability made the character memorable. Yet, his role was superficial.

The Grandmaster's connection to the cosmic world was hinted at but never explored. As an Elder of the Universe, he could have had a bigger impact. But his limited presence left much to be desired.

1. Anthony Hopkins’ Odin

Thor, Thor: The Dark World, & Thor: Ragnarok

Anthony Hopkins' Odin brought gravitas to the Thor films. His relationship with his sons and leadership of Asgard were key to the early narrative. But in Thor: Ragnarok, Odin's role was greatly reduced.

His death was rushed and lacked emotional depth. For a character so central and an actor of Hopkins' caliber, Odin's arc deserved more attention. His death had a profound impact on Thor and Asgard.