Key Takeaways:
– A potential R-rated scene for Chris Hemsworth's Thor character was planned for Avengers: Infinity War.
– The initial storyline differed significantly, with Thor undertaking an Indiana Jones-esque mission for his weapon, Stormbreaker.
– The gruesome nature of the alternate sequence may have led to concerns about the film's rating.
– The World Serpent, an essential figure in the alternate scenes, has a significant history in Marvel comics.
– Stormbreaker, originally wielded by a non-Asgardian character, has been in the comics since 1983.
R-rated Scene for Thor Scrapped from Avengers: Infinity War
In a recently uncovered detail, fans learned that the renowned superhero Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War, was initially designed to have an alternate, and possibly R-rated, storyline that involved battling serpents in the realm of Jormungand.
Forging a Change in Storyline
When Thor encounters Thanos at the start of the Avengers: Infinity War, he endures a crushing defeat that leaves him needing recovery and a new weapon. Thor, aided by the Guardians, embarks on a journey to Nidavellir to acquire a new weapon, Stormbreaker, crafted by Eitri the Dwarf. However, this storyline was not the original plan.
A Glimpse into an Alternate Narrative
Fascinating artwork from Avengers: Infinity War revealed in Eleni Roussos's 2019 book Avengers: Endgame – The Art of the Movie display a different scenario. In these scenes, Thor, Rocket, and Groot are seen battling several serpents on an Indiana Jones-like mission in the realm of Jormungand. The skeletal remains of the colossal World Serpent, inside which Stormbreaker lies, become their destination.
Details of the Abandoned Scene
Marvel's Senior Visual Development Artist, Rodney Fuentebella, unveiled the initial storyline to Roussos. Instead of forging Stormbreaker, Thor's ancestors used it to vanquish the World Serpent. Retrieving Stormbreaker becomes a challenging task when the offspring of the World Serpent attack the trio. Despite the intriguing proposal, the sequence did not make the cut for Avengers: Infinity War.
Why the Original Plan Was Abandoned
As Marvel movies cater to audiences of all age groups, the possible involvement of the World Serpent's “children” battling Thor and his team raised concerns about earning an R-rating. Despite these “children” not being human, Marvel chose to err on the side of caution and ditched the storyline.
The Tie with Marvel Comics
Both the World Serpent and Stormbreaker have significant histories in the Marvel Universe. The World Serpent, originating in Norse mythology, first graced Marvel comics as the Midgard Serpent in 1952. Meanwhile, Stormbreaker, introduced in 1983, was initially forged by Odin for the alien Beta Ray Bill, the first non-Asgardian to lift the Mjölnir.
Marvel's change of storyline reinforces their commitment to creating content suitable for all ages, making sure nothing jeopardises their core audience. As a result, audiences continue to await the endless excitement and surprises that the Marvel Universe unfurls.
Note: Avengers: Infinity War, alongside numerous other Marvel movies, is currently available for streaming on Disney+.
