It’s going on seven years since the arrival of Kenneth Branagh’s Thor movie, and at this point in the game, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost unrecognizable.
Not only has Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder matured into one of the old guards – ditto for Captain America and Iron Man – but Marvel fans have welcomed the likes of Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man into the franchise’s super-sized roster. And with Captain Marvel on the horizon, things are only going to get more and more crowded as we approach Avengers 4.
Before we get swept up by what’s to come though, over on Instagram (h/t ComicBook.com), Marvel concept artist Charlie Wen has shared some of his early designs for Odin (Anthony Hopkins) that were initially earmarked for Kenneth Branagh’s Thor spinoff movie back in 2011.
But first, some context from the man himself:
In continuing Thor and Loki’s parent, here is Odin’s unused ceremonial design! My intent was to compliment the formal garb of Frigga. The beautiful final ceremonial design for Odin was done by Ryan Meinerding. Thinking of posting one of the super early concepts of Odin – linked with the “Wacky Loki” and the early Asgard exploration previously posted – when I was world-building the realm of Asgard before we had an art department.
Chances are Wen will be sharing even more MCU concept art over the coming days, so keep your peepers peeled. As for the actual design of Odin, this is supposedly a piece of artwork which imagines Hopkins’ mighty god in ceremonial garb, replete with a stylish helmet that isn’t all that dissimilar from the one worn by Loki during The Avengers.
Speaking of which, Loki and Thor, Odin’s warring children, were last seen confronting Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, though sadly only one lived to tell the tale…
