During the first post-credit scene, we're introduced to a legendary Marvel comics character with roots in the Thor comics: Hercules! That's right, Hercules is finally coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as teased with his introduction in the post-credit scene from Thor: Love and Thunder!
With Hercules now in the MCU, and Wonder Man reportedly in development for his own streaming series, Marvel Studios has finally tapped all the classic '60s Avengers from the team's first era for adaptation on the screen. But what's Hercules' actual deal in Marvel Comics?
Because of this rebellious act against the god king, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are introduced to Zeus' son, Hercules (Brett Goldstein), in the mid-credits scene for Love and Thunder.
While Hercules may have the strength to literally destroy Thor's body, Thor can technically do the exact same thing to Hercules. The Olympian and the Asgardian are evenly matched in terms of both strength and durability.
Thor Love and Thunder Post-Credit Scenes & Ending Explained! (Spoilers)
Is Hercules the son of Zeus Thor?
Hercules Panhellenios is the son of Zeus and Alcmena. Following a skirmish with Thor and his team against the Council of Godheads at Omnipotence City, Hercules was tasked by his father with hunting down and killing the God of Thunder.
Writers often take artistic licenses when dealing with Hercules' strength, as Stan Lee himself pointed out at one time. However, it is undeniable that Hercules has bested both Thor and Hulk, proving he is indeed the strongest Avenger.
The character's first formal appearance in the Marvel Universe became Journey into Mystery Annual #1 (October 1965), which established Hercules as being a rival of the Norse god of thunder, Thor.
Hercules is class 7, meaning he can lift over 100 tons, and is the same weight class as other heavy hitters like Thor, the Hulk, Namor and Gladiator. However, so is Thanos, it's just that Thanos is stronger and vastly more powerful than Hercules.
As well as the lightning-lobbing expected from the Greek God of Thunder, Marvel's Zeus demonstrates some unique powers that give an indication of his place in the MCU's godly power hierarchy.
Chris Hemsworth and Marvel are currently engaged in discussions about the potential development of 'Thor 5.' While the MCU has not officially given the green light for Thor 5, talks are ongoing with both Chris Hemsworth and Marvel. Insider DanielRPK has revealed that development for Thor 5 commenced in October 2023.
It is the era of live-action adaptations and with Hercules getting the modern treatment, fans are delighted to learn that Danny DeVito will reportedly be reprising his role as Phil.
Why is Hercules at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder?
In the final post-credit scene of Thor: Love and Thunder, a humiliated Zeus (Russell Crowe) plots his revenge against Thor and the other superheroes who take the worship due to gods. He sends them a god in the form of a hero with his son, Hercules, played by Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein.
During the first post-credit scene, we're introduced to a legendary Marvel comics character with roots in the Thor comics: Hercules! That's right, Hercules is finally coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as teased with his introduction in the post-credit scene from Thor: Love and Thunder!
Antaeus (/ænˈtiːəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἀνταῖος Antaîos, lit. "opponent", derived from ἀντάω, antao – 'I face, I oppose'), known to the Berbers as Anti, was a figure in Berber and Greek mythology. He was famed for his defeat by Heracles as part of the Labours of Hercules.
The narrative depicts him as the antithesis of Zeus, who is presented almost as a modern-day God. It also centres around Hades' greed and jealousy, as he hires his minions 'Pain' and 'Panic' to kill Hercules in a bid to overthrow to 'good' gods of Olympus.
Deianeira, realizing that Iole was a dangerous rival, sent Heracles a garment smeared with the blood of Nessus. The blood proved to be a powerful poison, and Heracles died.
Hercules is very strong but that's pretty much it. While he's a demi-god, he doesn't really have a magic weapon or skill he can use beyond his strength and that's going to cost him against Superman. It's debatable whose stronger, although Superman probably has the advantage, but all Hercules can do is hit hard.
In their notable first encounter, Hercules is shown to have the speed and reflexes to match Spider-Man's spider-sense which leaves Spider-Man's attacks pretty ineffective and allows Hercules to easily overpower him.
Odin has many names and is the god of both war and death. Half of the warriors who die in battle are taken to his hall of Valhalla. He is the one-eyed All-Father, who sacrificed his eye in order to see everything that happens in the world. He has two sons, Balder by his first wife Frigg and Thor by Jord.
Since fans had to suspect Hercules was coming (as well as Marvel versions of the other Greek gods, including the usually villainous Ares), the real surprise in the credits scene was his casting: Brett Goldstein.
