18 photos that show how 'Thor: Love and Thunder' looks without visual effects
Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor and Chris Hemsworth as Thor in "Thor: Love and Thunder."Jasin Boland/Marvel Studios
- Marvel's "Thor: Love and Thunder" is now available to stream on Disney+.
- An accompanying documentary as part of Marvel's "Assembled" gives a behind-the-scenes look at "Thor 4."
The movie opens with the origin story of Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher, as he mourns the death of his daughter while in a desert land.
Christian Bale and India Rose Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Bale and India Rose Hemsworth, who played his on-screen daughter, filmed the scene on a set instead of in an arid landscape.
Christian Bale and India Rose Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
As Korg recaps Thor's life, he chronicles the God of Thunder's romantic relationships.
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Chris Hemsworth wasn't actually on a boat on water.
Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Hemsworth's real-life wife, the actress Elsa Pataky, had a cameo as a Wolf Woman that he kissed atop a giant wolf.
Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Pataky underwent a complete facial makeover for the cameo, including a different hairstyle and fake fangs.
Elsa Pataky on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
After making a grand speech, Thor summons his Stormbreaker and powers it up.
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
That moment looked far less dramatic while filming on a set.
Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
"Thor: Love and Thunder" introduced two loud, space-traveling goats named Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder.
Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
The goats weren't entirely CGI. The two large animal heads were created for VFX reference and to aid the actors while interacting with the creatures.
Taika Waititi on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Thor chats with Korg and the Guardians of the Galaxy while on their spaceship.
Chris Hemsworth, Pom Klementieff, and Taika Waititi in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Korg is significantly taller than Waititi, who plays him, so the director has the character's head attached to his costume as a visual reference. He fully becomes Korg in post-production.
Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Thor and the Guardians take a look at a screen displaying various distress calls.
Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi, Pom Klementieff, and Karen Gillan in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
There was no screen or projection for the cast to look at, so they had to pretend.
Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, Pom Klementieff, and Dave Bautista on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Thor and Korg travel to a snowy climate to rescue Sif after she falls for Gorr's trap.
Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
In reality, Hemsworth and Waititi didn't have to trek through snow and mountains for the scene.
Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Russell Crowe makes his debut as Zeus when Thor, Korg, Jane, and Valkyrie travel to Omnipotence City.
Russell Crowe in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
The ornate Golden Temple seen in the film was largely created using VFX.
Russell Crowe on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Zeus tethers Thor to the floor via lightning shackles and removes his disguise, accidentally leaving the superhero completely naked.
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Hemsworth was anchored through the use of cords and wore light-colored shorts for shots that didn't require him to be fully nude.
in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Tessa Thompson's Valkryie relished the opportunity to fight Zeus' men in the Golden Temple.
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Thompson was actually fighting against men wearing motion capture suits. Their golden armor was added in post-production.
Tessa Thompson on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Thor and Jane marvel at the view in space while on their way to the Shadow Realm to confront Gorr.
Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
To film the scene, Hemsworth and Portman were surrounded by a 360-degree digital environment made from LED panels.
Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Gorr ensnares Thor, Jane, and Valkyrie after they fall for his trap.
Chris Hemsworth and Christian Bale in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Hemsworth was hoisted into the air using equipment held by two crew members wearing blue suits that were edited out in post-production.
Christian Bale and Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Valkyrie uses the Thunderbolt that she stole from Zeus in her fight against Gorr.
Tessa Thompson in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
A variety of Thunderbolt props were created, including one that actually lit up.
Tessa Thompson on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Thor and Gorr fight each other using their weapons of choice: the Stormbreaker and the Necrosword.
Chris Hemsworth and Christian Bale in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Hemsworth and Bale filmed the fight sequence on a flat surface, while surrounded by blue screens.
Christian Bale and Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
Valkryie stabs Gorr in the back using the Thunderbolt, but it's not enough to stop the villain.
Tessa Thompson and Christian Bale in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
The moment looks far less frightening in the behind-the-scenes footage.
Tessa Thompson and Christian Bale on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
When Jane transforms into Mighty Thor, she gets super strength and the ability to fly.
Natalie Portman in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Portman held the hammer while suspended in the air using wires and a harness for scenes that involved flying.
Natalie Portman on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
After Gorr resurrects his daughter and dies from the Necrosword's curse, Thor becomes her guardian. Together, they become known as Love and Thunder.
India Rose Hemsworth and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Hemsworth and his real-life daughter India filmed the movie's last scene on set, surrounded by blue screens.
India Rose Hemsworth and Chris Hemsworth on the set of "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios/Disney+
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