Marvel Studios may be planning a major shake-up for Thor’s next solo adventure.
According to a new rumor circulating online, the project previously referred to as Thor 5 may now be moving forward under the title Hercules, with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor reportedly sharing the spotlight rather than remaining the movie’s sole lead.
The same report also claims Ares and Angela could make their MCU debuts in the film, potentially expanding the franchise beyond Asgard and deeper into Marvel’s mythology.
For now, however, Marvel Studios has not officially announced either Thor 5 or a Hercules movie, so all of these details should still be treated as rumor. Marvel’s current public movie slate does not list either project.
Hercules Has Been Set Up Since 2022
The Hercules part of the rumor actually has a strong foundation in the MCU.
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ introduced Brett Goldstein as Hercules in its mid-credits scene. After being wounded by Thor, Zeus orders his son to hunt down the God of Thunder and restore humanity’s fear of the gods.
Four years later, that setup still hasn’t been resolved, and Goldstein has yet to return as Hercules.
So if Marvel really has transformed Thor 5 into Hercules, it could finally pay off a storyline that has been sitting there since Love and Thunder.
Thor Could Become the Secondary Lead
Perhaps the biggest part of the report is that the rumored title change wouldn’t necessarily mean Thor is leaving.
Instead, Hemsworth’s character could reportedly remain a major part of the movie while Hercules takes on a larger role.
That would actually mirror their relationship in the comics. Marvel describes Hercules and Thor as both close allies and long-standing rivals, with the two constantly arguing over which god is stronger.
Hercules also eventually becomes an Avenger in the comics, meaning a movie centered on him could give Marvel another major god-level hero even as Thor’s own story moves toward its later chapters.
Ares and Angela Are Also Rumored
The report gets even more interesting with the rumored additions of Ares and Angela.
Ares would fit naturally into a Hercules-focused story. In Marvel Comics, he is another son of Zeus and the half-brother of Hercules, but the two have repeatedly fought each other over the years. Marvel’s own character history describes Ares as one of Hercules’ recurring enemies.
Angela, meanwhile, could open an entirely different side of Thor’s mythology.
In the comics, Angela is actually Thor’s long-lost biological sister, originally named Aldrif Odinsdottir. She was taken from Asgard as an infant and raised in the mysterious Tenth Realm known as Heven.
She has never appeared in the MCU, so introducing her would give Thor another enormous family revelation after years of stories involving Loki, Hela, and Odin.
However, I could not find an official Marvel announcement or reliable trade report confirming that either Ares or Angela has actually been cast or approved for the movie. Those parts remain firmly in rumor territory.
Thor Is Definitely Coming Back First
Whatever happens with this reported Hercules project, Thor himself isn’t finished with the MCU.
Marvel has officially confirmed Chris Hemsworth’s return in Avengers: Doomsday, even releasing a dedicated teaser centered around Thor. The movie is scheduled for December 18, 2026.
That makes the rumored change from Thor 5 to Hercules especially interesting.
Marvel may not be ending Thor’s story at all.
Instead, it could be using his fifth adventure to pass some of the spotlight to Hercules while introducing an entirely new generation of Marvel gods.
But until Marvel Studios makes an official announcement, the title Hercules, Thor’s secondary-lead status, and the reported appearances of Ares and Angela should all be treated as unconfirmed.