Original concept art for Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder has been released that shows an adorable baby Thor wielding a tiny Mjolnir along with a young version of his mother, Frigga. Thor: Love and Thunder marks the 29th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It released in July 2022 and further explores familiar themes for the Thor franchise, including the relationships between parents and their children.
Early in Thor: Love and Thunder, Taika Waititi's Korg is narrating to a group of children the legend of Thor. During this retelling of Thor's history, a young Frigga can be seen running into battle with duel swords and a baby Thor strapped to her chest. With Rene Russo's present-day version of Frigga being killed by the Dark Elf Kurse in Thor: The Dark World while protecting Jane Foster, her presence has been missed in the Thor franchise. The loss Thor feels for his mother was highlighted in Frigga's return in Avengers: Endgame. In Thor's revisiting of the past, it's the support from his mother that makes him become worthy enough to lift Mjolnir again.
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Senior Marvel Costume Illustrator Jonay Bacallado, who has previously worked on other MCU projects WandaVision and Thor: Ragnarok., released concept art on his Instagram that shows an early design for Baby Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder. Another image gives a good look at Australian actor Chanique Greyling on the set as Young Frigga. Check out the post below.
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The big reveal from the concept art is that baby Thor was originally going to sport long, flowing blonde hair. On-screen, baby Thor has a more traditional infant appearance. The concept art also shows that baby Thor was once going to wield a tiny metal Mjolnir instead of the wooden toy version seen in the final film. This was likely altered as the first Thor movie implies that a young Thor was not yet worthy of lifting Mjolnir.
Including a warrior version of Frigga in Thor: Love and Thunder entering a battle with baby Thor not only reminds audiences of the family he used to have but also connects the scene to the end of the movie when Thor rushes into battle with his new adoptive daughter, Love. As highlighted in all of Thor's MCU appearances, his familial bonds have always been paramount to him. The cyclical nature of Thor's family going into battle together proves to be an important cornerstone to both the film and his character's journey.