Marvel Ditched New Super Hero’s Debut Four Times Already

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Thor (Chris Hemsworth) looking sad

Credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel originally wanted to introduce Thor’s forgotten brother, Balder the Brave into the MCU.

Thor and Loki looking at each other
Credit: Marvel Studios

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While fans might remember hearing that Daniel Craig was considered to play the character and Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) until the MCU decided to take another route. Sources state that the character was originally working with the Illuminati which would’ve been odd since the Illuminati was supposed to be a secret society of Earth’s smartest heroes trying to protect their world from unseen threats.

Surprisingly enough, Balder the Brave was already removed from three other MCU projects. As Thor’s brother, the character was considered to show up in all of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor movies but never got the chance to make his debut.

Balder the Brave in the snow
Credit: Marvel Comics

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Graham Churchyard, one of the costume designers for Doctor Strange 2 shared his experience working on the costume for Balder the Brave before the character’s role was cut from the movie:

“We got very far designing Balder the Brave and then we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting on casting. I took it to a prototype stage, we were kind of in that design thing, getting fabrics together and ideas and waiting for an actor.”

Earlier reports stated that Balder the Brave was originally the seventh member of the Illuminati so this makes sense why his costume went as far as it did in production. Other reports claim that Craig would’ve played the part, but was unable to due to COVID concerns which could be why the role was ultimately cut from the film.

Balder the Brave
Credit: Marvel Comics

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Churchyard goes on to explain that he has some doubts about Thor’s brother making his debut anytime soon after seeing how long the character has been waiting to show up in the MCU:

“Poor Balder the Brave, he almost made Thor 1, and Thor 2, and Thor 3, if I can simplify that. Then, it’s just like, ‘Yay! He’s gonna get an appearance!’ Poor guy. I’ve seen designs Marvel’s archive book of Balder’s helmet going back to Kenneth Branagh’s Thor. So, he’s been a long time waiting and I don’t think he’s gonna make an appearance any time soon.”

Credit: Marvel

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While it would’ve been cool to see Balder the Brave enter the MCU, it would’ve felt odd seeing the character as part of the Illuminati and not meet his brother, Thor. Knowing that Wanda would’ve murdered the super hero, it’s probably great to know that Balder the Brave could show up in another movie later on instead of having a quick cameo before dying by Wanda’s magic.

More on Doctor Strange 2

Wanda Maximoff as Elizabeth Olsen
Credit: Marvel Studios

Related: Elizabeth Olsen Refused to Watch Disney’s “Distracting” Version of ‘Doctor Strange 2’

Doctor Strange 2 is directed by Sam Raimi and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange in the main timeline, but he will also play other variants in the movie such as Sinister Strange, Defender Strange, and Strange Supreme.

The movie stars Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), Wong as the Sorcerer Supreme (Benedict Wong), Mordo, (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Rintrah (Adam Hugill), Charles Xavier/Professor X (Sir Patrick Stewart), and other members from the Illuminati.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
Credit: Marvel Studios

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Do you think Balder the Brave will make his debut in the MCU anytime soon?

Phase Four has started off with a lot of content for Marvel fans to look forward to in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On Disney+  you can watch Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and She-Hulk on August 17. For movies, Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness is now on Disney+ with  Thor: Love and Thunder on releasing in theaters on July 8, and of course, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on November 11.

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