As we’ve been told many times now, Thor: Ragnarok is a complete reinvention of the God of Thunder’s solo franchise, sharing little in common with the tone of the two movies that went before it. Mostly, that’s proven to be the right move, as the threequel is earning stellar reviews across the board.
However, something that’s got Thor fans miffed is the absence of Lady Sif. Though Jaimie Alexander was previously reported to be appearing in the film, early screenings have confirmed that she’s not involved. So, what gives? Well, apparently, it’s all to do with Loki impersonating Odin and taking control of Asgard at the end of Thor: The Dark World.Â
While talking with Cinema Blend, Marvel chief Kevin Feige had the following to say:
“It’s been in the works for many years, right, since we finished Dark World. What has Loki been doing on that throne in guise of Odin? And we always liked the idea that he was doing a good job! He was doing a good, but shortsighted job. The trains were running on time, but he wasn’t paying attention to anything else going on in the universe or in the realms.
So that was always one idea. And the idea that he would have to get rid of Heimdall, because Heimdall can see everything. That was an idea, and probably the Warriors Three, to discount them… which is probably an answer to a question I’ve been asked a few times today: Sif was probably banished. She’s off somewhere.”
This seems like a neat way of explaining why the Asgardian supporting cast from the previous movies have a reduced importance in this one. However, it’s a shame that Heimdall and the Warriors Three will still turn up in Ragnarok in some capacity but Sif has been reduced to an afterthought. As Feige’s comment on being asked about Sif quite a lot proves, the character has a certain popularity amongst the fans for being one of the MCU’s most badass women.
To be fair, though, the lack of Sif in Thor: Ragnarok might not be Marvel’s fault. Jaimie Alexander is busy starring in NBC’s Blindspot, so it’s possible that she just couldn’t find time to fit in a part in the film. At least Sif is still out there somewhere though, leaving the door open for her to return at some point. Most likely in either in Avengers: Infinity War or Avengers 4.Â
Be sure to catch Thor: Ragnarok in cinemas on November 3rd.
