Marvel finally dropped theThor: Love and Thundertrailer ahead of its release this summer, and with it comes plenty of new footage. Of course, we get to see a new look at the returns of Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman as the titular god and Jane “The Mighty Thor” Foster, respectively. Also included in the trailer is a sneak peek atRussell Crowemaking his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Zeus, though we can only see his hand followed by another shot from behind.
It was reported back in March 2021 that Crowe had joinedThor: Love and Thunderin a mystery role. As his involvement was not advertised, it was believed that the actor would be coming in for a cameo that was meant to be a surprise, leaving it up to fan speculation as to which character he might be playing. However, the next month, Crowe himself let the Greek god out of the bag by revealing that he’d be playing Zeus in the film. Hesounded very excitedto be stepping into the MCU in that role.
“I’m gonna get on my bicycle, I’m gonna ride up to Disney Fox Studios, and around about 9:15 I shall be Zeus! It’s forThor. It’s my last day of Zeus-ing about and I’m going to enjoy it,” Crowe said, perJoy Breakfast.
This is Russell Crowe’s first foray into the MCU, but not the first time he’s made a mark in a superhero movie. He previously played Jor-El, Superman’s father, in Zack Snyder’sMan of Steelin 2013. Crowe’s casting as Zeus had many fans hoping to see Kal-El actorHenry Cavill play Herculesin the MCU as well to reunite with hisMan of Steeldad. It’s unclear at this time if there are plans for Crowe to return as Zeus in any future MCU projects.
Related:Russell Crowe Joins Sony’s Kraven the Hunter Film
Russell Crowe Will Also Join Sony’s Marvel Universe with Kraven the Hunter
Russell Crowe must have enjoyed his time in the MCU, as he has also since joined Sony’s Marvel Universe as a completely different character. He’sbeen cast in theKraven the Huntermovie, which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as theSpider-Manvillain and is currently in production. Crowe will reportedly play Nikolai Kravinoff, the father of Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven, which is in line with the rumors that he’d be playing a family member of the lead character. Kravinoff previously appeared in Marvel comic books as the father of Kraven and Chameleon; Fred Hechinger (Netflix’sFear Street) will reportedly play Chameleon.
Kraven the Hunter also stars Christopher Abbott, Alessandro Nivola, Ariana DeBose, and Levi Miller. J. C. Chandor directs using a screenplay by Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, and Richard Wenk. The film is a part of Sony’s Marvel Universe which also includes bothVenomfilms,Morbius, and the upcomingMadame Webwith Dakota Johnson.Thor: Love and Thunderis scheduled to be released in movie theaters everywhere on July 25, 2025.Kraven the Hunterwill be following when it is released on Aug 01, 2025.
