A new theory suggests thatThor: Love and Thunderalready set up the perfectMCUrole for Dwayne Johnson, who has recently been rumored to be joining Marvel Studios. Released in 2022,Thor: Love and Thunder, despite its mixed reception, massively expanded the world of Gods in the MCU, thanks to the introduction of Omnipotence City. Debuting so many new and powerful Gods creates the opportunity for previously unseen Pantheons to be explored, andDwayne Johnson’s perfect MCU charactercould be key to one of them.
Since moving into acting in 1999,Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s movies have grossed over $10.5 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. This meant it was only a matter of time before he joined a live-action superhero franchise, but the DCEU’sBlack Adamwas met with a negative responseand became a box office bomb. Dwayne Johnson may have better luck as a powerful character in the MCU, andThor: Love and Thundermay have already laid the foundations for his perfect casting.
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Dwayne Johnson May Be Ready To Take On A Role In The MCU
Back in June,Varietyreported that Dwayne Johnson’s production company, Seven Bucks Productions, has signed a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company to develop movies for theatrical and streaming releases. This new relationship between Seven Bucks and Disney could open the door forDwayne Johnson to make his way into the MCU.This has spurred recent speculation about whom the Rock could play in the MCU, with names such as Luke Cage, Apocalypse and Blue Marvel being thrown around, but a new theory suggests someone new.
Thor: Love & Thunder Set Up The God Tūmatauenga As Dwayne Johnson’s Perfect MCU Casting
While there are many powerful roles that would be great for Dwayne Johnson, a quick mention of Tūmatauenga inThor: Love and Thunderhas some, includingMaximilanMarvel, convinced that the Rock would be perfect as this new MCU God.Tūmatauenga is the Polynesian God of war, hunting, fishing and cooking, recognized in Māori mythology. In the MCU, it could be assumed that Tūmatauenga is a member of the Akua, a species of aliens worshiped as Gods by the Māori in Marvel Comics, where he is also referred to as Kū.
While Tūmatauenga didn’t make an appearance inThor: Love and Thunder- though anotherMāori God did appear in Omnipotence City- Thor gave the Polynesian God a mention when suggesting a line-up for his formidable superteam. Thor wanted Ra, Hercules, Zeus, Quetzalcoatl and Tūmatauenga to help him fight Gorr the God Butcher, implying Tūmatauenga to be a supremely powerful character.This would fit Dwayne Johnson perfectly, especially since the actor himself is Polynesian, so this casting would give him the chance to embrace his own roots as an incredible new hero.
Dwayne Johnson already has experience portraying a Polynesian God, as he voiced Maui in 2016’sMoanaand is returning in 2024’s upcomingMoana 2. He will also portray Maui in the upcoming live-action remake ofMoanain 2026.
Where Could Dwayne Johnson Debut As Tūmatauenga In The MCU?
Given the fact that the deal between Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks and Disney is already signed, sealed and delivered, it’s possible that the action star could debut in the MCU very soon. However, if the Rock is set to appear as the Polynesian God Tūmatauenga, it stands to reason that theas-yet-unconfirmedThor 5would be a good opportunity to bring him into live-action.Thor: Love and Thunderset up an epic battle between the Gods inThor 5, with Brett Goldstein’s Hercules leading the charge against Thor, and he may recruit Tūmatauenga to his cause.
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Several Māori heroes also have the opportunity to be explored in the MCU’s future, which would create a great chance to debut Dwayne Johnson’s Tūmatauenga. 2018’sDeadpool 2introduced New ZealanderJulian Dennison as Russell Collins' Firefist, so developing him could connect to Tūmatauenga. A Māori Ghost Rider also debuted in Marvel Comics in 2008, so introducing this version of the Spirit of Vengeance could be an inspired choice by Marvel Studios, especially afterThor: Love and Thunderset up the potentially hugely important and significant role of Tūmatauenga for Dwayne Johnson.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Cast
In Thor: Love and Thunder, the Norse god teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and the Mighty Thor, Jane Foster, to thwart Gorr the God Butcher’s quest to eradicate the gods. This cosmic adventure sees Thor confront new challenges as he navigates his return from retirement.
