In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor has endured some of the most exciting victories coupled with the most devastating losses. As a result, his character has undergone serious internal and external changes that have helped define him as a character. In the past, he was a powerful prince who could take on the world at a moment's notice. Now, he is a more thoughtful adventurer who seeks to understand rather than battle. But as the Thor: Love and Thunder teaser has shown, certain hilarious wounds don't heal overnight.
The teaser trailer reintroduced audiences to Thor, who hasn't been seen since Avengers: Endgame. At that point in his life, he was so crippled by his failure to stop Thanos that he led a reclusive life and fell into a depression where he cared for nothing and gained weight. But Thor: Love and Thunder has shown the hero reinvigorated by his victory over Thanos with the Avengers and getting back into fighting shape so he can be the hero he always was deep down. But one article of clothing he wears on his journey to becoming his old self calls back to a classic Avengers joke that Tony Stark made.
As Thor does battle rope exercises with massive chains, he wears a hat that, at a glance, says "The Avengers" in the font from the classic comics run. However, closer inspection reveals that it actually says something closer to "The strongest of the Avengers," with "strongest" clearly having been written in by Thor. Not only does the hat help motivate Thor to get back into shape, but it also teases how when he was on the Avengers, Stark always assumed Hulk was the strongest Avenger, a statement that grew to be tiresome for Thor over the years.
The classic MCU bit was set up way back in 2012 when Stark called Thor "Point Break" after their first fight. Years later, in Thor: Ragnarok, Thor was on Sakaar trying to get the Quinjet running but couldn't access it with the passphrases of his name or "Strongest Avenger." Instead, the only code that worked was "Point Break," as Stark never let go of the fact that he thought Hulk was stronger.
Now, seeing the hat in action as Thor gets back into shape, it takes on multiple hilarious and thoughtful meanings. For example, Thor could motivate himself to become the strongest Avenger Stark never thought he was. But it could also serve as a memory of the passing of his friend and how he will carry him in his heart wherever he is. Nevertheless, the personal quest Thor has placed himself on is hilarious and shows that his competitive side is still alive and well even as he soul searches.
Thor: Love and Thunder will likely explore a new side to the character as he discovers a new reason to be a hero since he is no longer a leader or a Guardian of the Galaxy. Now, he appears to be nothing but an adventurer who seeks nothing more than to learn about his galaxy. But no matter where the hammer falls on his life, it's clear that he will always be the strongest Avenger – even if he's the only one who thinks so.
Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on July 8.