Here are 8 underused Thor characters we want to see more of in the MCU

Despite being around since near the beginning of the MCU, there are still several Thor franchise characters that deserve more time in the Marvel movie spotlight. Despite the popularity of other MCU heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and Hulk, only Thor has reached the impressive milestone of getting four solo movies. 

Though the MCU Phase 4's Thor: Love and Thunder failed to capture the critical acclaim of its predecessor, there's clearly still immense fan interest in continuing to explore the God of Thunder's corner of the MCU. Though several of the best Thor franchise supporting characters are unfortunately dead, a few, whether because they're still around or because death is unlikely to stop them, can still return for more memorable scenes.

It's not clear when Thor himself will next be seen in Marvel's cinematic shared universe, but even if a Thor 5 never happens, crossovers, team-ups, and cameo appearances mean that almost anything is possible. While it's sometimes risky to ask for more of a good thing, these underused Thor characters deserve at least one more return. Lady Sif, portrayed by the talented Jaimie Alexander, is a notable and powerful Asgardian in the pages of Marvel Comics, but she's never been given the focus she deserves in the MCU. Most Asgardians took a back seat in the first Thor movie as the titular hero spent much of the movie banished to Earth, but it seemed as if Sif would be an important character moving forward as she was one of few MCU heroes to cameo on Agents of SHIELD.

However, her appearances remained minor, culminating in Sif's embarrassing appearance in Love and Thunder. Her reunion with Thor and grievous wound is, unfortunately, played off as a joke. With the first Thor movie focusing more on humans and Earth than later entries, Erik Selvig's significance in the MCU has expectedly declined. Selvig actually has more presence than most Marvel supporting characters (he's currently appeared or been mentioned in 11 MCU projects), but there's still plenty of room for the scientist.

With Jane Foster now having passed on to the halls of Valhalla, Selvig may be a go-to connection for Thor should he need the help of a brilliant mind on Earth moving forward. Darcy Lewis doesn't seem like a particularly memorable character on paper in most of her MCU appearances, but actor Kat Dennings imbues Jane Foster's friend and confidant with undeniable charm and confidence that's made her a standout in each appearance. Darcy got more attention in WandaVision as she was involved in exploring and infiltrating Westview.

This experience may make her something of a known expert in the field that could show up again for other magical phenomena in the MCU. The charismatic and equally tyrannical leader of Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster is a hilarious MCU character that deserves at least one more appearance. While he almost appeared again in the MCU Phase 4, the Grandmaster was one of several cut cameos in Love and Thunder. Given Gorr's penchant for killing, this may have been a blessing in disguise and opened up the character to appear once again.

Heimdall was introduced in the first Thor movie and was given an expanded role in the sequel. He also appeared in Thor: Ragnarok, though he ultimately met his demise at the hand of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. While the MCU has confirmed that he is, in fact, dead, the credits scene in Thor: Love and Thunder opens the door to another appearance. Heimdall is seen greeting Jane at the gates of Valhalla, which appears to be an expansive realm. It's possible that a future movie could explore living characters somehow visiting the realm or the inhabitants of Valhalla returning for one final fight.' Hela was defeated by Surtur at the end of Thor: Ragnarok, but Marvel movies have proven that nobody is really dead unless a body is shown (and even that isn't always definitive).

Brought to life by acclaimed actor Cate Blanchett, Hela can return to the MCU stronger than ever. Her ability to harness and create undead Asgardian soldiers means that even if she did die, she may be able to harness the power of Hel and use it for further conquest. Beta Ray Bill hasn't actually appeared in person yet in the MCU, but his head is among the statues of the Grandmaster's past champions on Sakaar. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Easter egg, but Beta Ray Bill is an important character in Marvel Comics that would be perfect for a major role in Thor 5.

Bill has a complicated backstory that involves his consciousness being transferred into an equine, cybernetic body, but the important thing is that he's one of the very few people to be worthy of wielding Mjolnir and is one of Thor's closes allies in Marvel Comics. Thor: Ragnarok set up a bitter rivalry between Thor and Zeus after the former used the Greek god's own lightning bolt to strike him down, but the credits scene showed that Zeus is alive and sending his son after the God of Thunder. Hercules was told to hunt down Thor in a theoretical Thor sequel, which seems like a guarantee he'll appear again, but the current state of the MCU means that nothing is locked in. Several teases and set-ups have been left hanging, but hopefully, Hercules will appear again and grow into the Marvel hero he's known to be in the comics.