Thor Love and Thunder: who stars in the cast with Russell Crowe - and what is the new Marvel film about?

Joining Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tess Thompson and Matt Damon, the full cast list for Thor: Love and Thunder is stacked full of Hollywood heavyweights.

Here’s all you need to know about the cast of the next movie entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Who is in the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder?

It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find an actor who hasn't been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Thor: Love and Thunder is continuing to prove that point.

Chris Hemsworth returns as the movie’s title character, in what will be his fourth solo outing as the character, and the second with director Taika Waititi

Tessa Thompson will also be returning to her role as Valkyrie.

A notable return to the franchise is Natalie Portman, who will return to the role of Jane Foster. Portman last appeared in 2013’s Thor: The Dark World. However, she did make a small appearance in Avengers: Endgame.

Jaimie Alexander is also returning to the movie in the role of Lady Sif.

Matt Damon, Sam Neill and Luke Hemsworth will all be back as Asgardian actors playing Loki, Odin and Thor.

Mellissa McCarthy is also on board to play a fictional version of Cate Blanchett’s former villain Hela.

The Guardians of the Galaxy cast, including Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Dave Bautista, Chris Pratt and Karen Gillan, have all been reported to have filmed a small number of scenes.

Russell Crowe’s role is being kept under wraps for now. Crowe is no stranger when it comes to the world of superhero movies, having appeared in DC's Man of Steel almost eight years ago.

Finally, Christian Bale, who was last seen in a superhero movie in the Dark Knight Trilogy, is set to play Gorr the God Butcher, who is possibly set to be the villain of the film.

What is the plot of Thor: Love and Thunder?

Little details have been released about the exact plot of Thor: Love and Thunder.

Fans are expecting the movie to address the way Thor was left at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The God of Thunder was seen overweight and becoming chums with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Love and Thunder will be inspired by the Thor comics of Marvel all-star writer Jason Aaron. In that comic, Odinson loses the ability to lift Mjolnir, and Jane Foster takes on the role of Thor, while simultaneously battling cancer in her human hours.

Speaking on stage at San Diego Comic Con 2020, Taika Waitii said: “When we were shooting Ragnarok I was reading one storyline by Jason Aaron, The Mighty Thor.

“And for those of you who know that storyline, it's incredible, it's full of emotion, love and thunder, and it introduces, for the first time, female Thor. So, for us there's only one person who could play that role. Only one."

Natalie Portman seemingly confirmed her storyline in an interview with Fatherly. She said: “I can’t tell you that much. I’m really excited. I’m starting to train, to get muscles. If there can be all these female superheroes, the more of them they are, the better it is. I’m trying to think—it’s based on the graphic novel of The Mighty Thor. She’s going through cancer treatment and is a superhero on the side.”

When will Thor: Love and Thunder be released?

Th Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the Thor: Love and Thunder release date.

The move is currently set to begin filming in 2021 for release on 11 February 2022.