Russell Crowe is bringing Zeus to life in Thor: Love and Thunder. Here's a breakdown of the Marvel character's origins, powers, and MCU expectations.
Russell Crowe is playing Zeus the Olympian god in Thor: Love and Thunder, but the character's background has interesting implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film, directed by Taika Waititi, will mark the fourth solo Thor film and the 29th installment in the film franchise. Chris Hemsworth is reprising his role as the titular God of Thunder with franchise vets Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman, Chris Pratt, Jeff Goldblum, and Jaimie Alexander confirmed to appear. In addition to newcomer Crowe, Love and Thunder will feature the introduction of Christian Bale, playing Gorr the God Butcher.
It was only a matter of time before the deities from Olympus were incorporated into the MCU. Zeus made his Marvel Comics debut in 1949, appearing in Venus #5. Also referred to as "Zeus Panhellenios," the character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in an effort to bring elements of Greek mythology into the comics. Zeus' presence as a god from another dimension allowed the comics to dive deep into other deities while crossing over events featuring fellow otherworldly beings like Thor, Odin, and other characters inspired by Norse mythology. While the MCU has been presenting cosmic beings since Phase 1, the addition of Greek gods will be a highlight for the newest slate of titles.
Despite Crowe's portrayal as Zeus in Love and Thunder, the announcement didn't indicate how prominent his character is to the plot. Granted, his inclusion alone might seem like a surprise, but it indicates what the MCU is building towards beyond Phase 4. The franchise is always looking at the future, and the Olympians, including Zeus, could be a major piece of the puzzle. That said, here's everything to know about Zeus' origins, powers, and expectations heading into Love and Thunder.
Known as the God of the heavens, sky, and weather, Zeus was depicted as a humanoid being from the dimension of Olympus. The figure, who was said to be thousands of years old, was the youngest son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. Cronus, the ruler of Olympus, worried about a prophecy that suggested one of his children would one day overthrow him. To prevent the prophecy from coming true, Cronus imprisoned his children within another dimension called Tartarus after they were born, but Rhea prevented Zeus' from meeting the same fate. He was then secretly cared for by his grandmother Gaea. As he grew older, Zeus vowed to get revenge on his father, so he freed his siblings–Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia–in addition to Cyclopes before enacting war on the Titans. Following a decade-long war, Zeus arose victorious before sending the surviving Titans, including Cronus, to the Tartarus and taking over as the leader of the Olympians.
Though Zeus was married to the goddess named Hera, he had several affairs with other women, including fellow goddesses and mortals. Whereas some of his most notable children were figures like Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, and Hermes, he was also the biological father of Helen of Troy and Hercules. The latter of which became a key figure in Marvel Comics for his godlike strength. The members within Zeus' family tree were directly inspired by notable figures in Greek mythology. Like the ancient lore, the Olympian gods were worshipped as mystic beings. To gain this level of notoriety, Zeus made their presence known to Greek civilization.
Shortly after discovering a connection between Olympus and Mount Olympus in Greece, Zeus developed an alliance with the Eternals based on their proximity to the nexus. That alliance broke when humans began considering Eternals as gods, angering the true Olympian leaders. After a few skirmishes with Thor, Zeus met with Thor's father, Odin, to make a pact to work together to defeat the Celestials. In the Modern Era of Marvel Comics, Zeus remained an ally of Thor and the Asgardians. He also set up an organization known as the Olympia Corporation, allowing him to keep a presence on Earth while studying humanity.
As a Greek god, Zeus possesses cosmic powers similar to those of Odin and Galactus. Being the leader of the Olympians, the diety has abilities that are far greater than the rest of his race. Among his arsenal of powers include superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and stamina. When Zeus taps into his cosmic awareness, the levels of those aforementioned powers can become even more powerful. Granted, many of the strengths are common among superhumans in the comics, making Zeus' other powers more noteworthy.
Like other gods, Zeus is immortal, meaning he cannot die due to ordinary means. His body has a regenerative healing, which allows him to repair a damaged organ or missing limb if necessary. Zeus' invulnerability can also protect him from handling energy blasts, high-impact weapons, and extreme temperatures. In addition, the Olympian god is self-sustained, indicating that he doesn't need food, water, or oxygen to survive.
Like Greek mythology, the Marvel Comics' version of Zeus harnesses the power of electrokinesis, which is seen in the form of lightning bolt projection. Cyclopes was said to be the one who taught Zeus how to use the thunderbolts while also giving Poseidon his signature trident. The magic manipulation is complemented with the powers of spell-casting, shape-shifting, and skilled combat. If those powers aren't enough, Zeus was given the power to fly and was once said to have the ability to communicate in all languages, also referred to as "Allspeak."
When Russell Crowe was announced for Love and Thunder, rampant speculation surrounded the casting. Some predicted he would be playing Beta Ray Bill, while others suggested he would portray Fake Thanos or an older version of Thor. Now that it's been shared that Crowe is bringing Zeus to life, what does it mean for the next Thor movie? Well, for one, it opens the door for another barrage of cosmic beings by brings Olympians into the fold. With Christian Bale expected to play the primary antagonist, Gorr the God Butcher, Zeus will likely emerge as an ally to the Asgardian, seeing as they will both be deemed threats for being gods.
Depending on what happens in Eternals, Zeus' existence might be confirmed before his live-action debut. There's a chance his MCU introduction will heavily lay the foundation for other notable Olympians into future franchise projects. Thor: Love and Thunder could also be paving the way for Zeus' son, Hercules, to become a major piece to the MCU's future plans. There's a thought Hercules would make for a suitable Thor replacement if the God of Thunder ever decided to lay his hammer down. It's unclear what Zeus' future holds, but his presence in Thor: Love and Thunder alone gives the MCU many avenues to explore in Phase 4 and beyond.
