Since its inception, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has attracted some truly top-tier talent, from Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man all the way through to Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum in next year’s Thor: Ragnarok.
One of those who got in on the ground level was Natalie Portman, and though her tenure only spanned two films in Thor and middling sequel The Dark World, Portman’s astrophysicist Jane Foster struck a chord with the Marvel faithful. Sadly, it looks to be that Portman has called time on her role in the MCU, revealing to Wall Street Journal that she’s effectively done.
“As far as I know, I’m done. I don’t know if, maybe, one day they’ll ask for an Avengers 7 or whatever. I have no idea! But as far as I know I’m done.”
After it was confirmed Portman’s Jane Foster wouldn’t be involved in upcoming threequel Thor: Ragnarok, many fans had already assumed the actress was all but set for the exit door as the Marvel machine grew in scale and scope.
That, and the fact that Natalie Portman has lined up a string of eye-catching projects to fill up her slate. Chief among them is Jackie, the 2016 political drama that places her in the shoes of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the days after the infamous 1963 assassination. There’s also Alex Garland’s Annihilation, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan and directorial debut A Tale of Love and Darkness, which finally bows in US theaters this week.
Thor: Ragnarok, meanwhile, is on course to drop on November 3, 2017. Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins round out its starry ensemble.