Zack Snyder’s Norse mythology-inspired animated Netflix show, Twilight of the GodsFeatured several Norse gods and goddesses that also appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Not every god who was in Twilight of the Gods was in the MCU, partly because Twilight of the Gods Had to be more precise when it came to the natures of foolish gods and goddesses. actually, Twilight of the Gods Got some things right about Norse mythology.
In comparison, the MCU has taken many more liberties with the stories of the Norse gods, especially the ones the franchise is best known for, including Loki and Thor. This does not make one better than the other, as each is good fun in its own way, but it is interesting to see how each of them was treated with the complex stories of Norse mythology. The 6 gods and goddesses reflect all the overlapping Norse god characters between Twilight of the Gods And the MCUAnd the distinctions between the two are quite clear.
6
Heimdall
The MCU’s Heimdall has a much bigger role
Heimdall, the guardian of the gods in Norse mythology, appeared in both Twilight of the Gods And the MCU, especially the movies focused on Thor, although he makes brief appearances in some Avengers Movies. His role is seriously diminished in Twilight of the GodsAlthough. In the show, Heimdall doesn’t appear until the end, when the final battle begins.
During that grueling battle, Heimdall remains silent and plays a minimal role. The most significant moment for the character comes when Sigrid, the protagonist of the show, aims her spear at Thor but instead strikes Baldr, who steps in the way to save Thor’s life. Even Sigrid is devastated by this turn of events as Baldr was one of the better gods throughout the show. Heimdall, realizing that Baldr will die, rushes to his side. This is the extent of Heimdall’s role in Twilight of the GodsFor the most part.
Heimdall has a much more significant role in the MCU. in Thor, Thor: The Dark WorldAnd Thor: RagnarokHeimdall plays a crucial role in helping Thor and others navigate to and from Asgard via the Bifrost Bridge, which Heimdall oversees. He is also clearly a very close friend of Thor. Thor’s love for Heimdall was most evident when Thanos stabbed Heimdall, and amidst all the destruction Thanos caused, there was the moment when Thor said, “You will die for this.” The same relationship is not shown in Twilight of the Gods.
5
Sif
In Twilight of the Gods, Sif was Thor’s wife
Sif appeared in both Twilight of the Gods And the MCU, however Sif is not a goddess in the MCU. This is one of many examples of Sif being more accurately portrayed in Twilight of the Gods– Although there are still a number of differences between Sif in Norse mythology and Sif in Twilight of the Gods. In the MCU, Sif is a close friend of Thor and one of Asgard’s most important warriors.
Sif is specifically part of the group referred to as Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, which includes Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg. These three characters, like Sif’s role as a warrior of Asgard rather than a goddess, were created specifically for Marvel. This change does not mean that Sif was not important. She was in fact a key character throughout the Thor movies, and she remains a fan favorite after her last appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder.
in Twilight of the GodsSif’s role is quite different. She is portrayed as Thor’s beautiful but sad and spurned wife who knows he has affairs but can’t do anything about them. Thor’s treatment of Sif is also absolutely brutal, and he consistently speaks to her in a shockingly demeaning way. This description of Sif is also inaccurate, even though she is a goddess. In Norse mythology, Sif is Thor’s wife, but she is beloved by Thor, and the two have a much better relationship.
4
Bright
Hela played a very different role in Thor
Hel (also called Hela, both in the MCU and in Norse mythology) is an incredibly complex character in every story in which she appears. In Norse mythology, Hel is the daughter of Loki and the giant Angrboda. This means that she is not exactly a goddess; At most, she is a demigod. Even so, she is consistently referred to as the goddess of death, presumably because her role overseeing the underworld, also called Hell, gives her a role in keeping up with gods and goddesses.
In mythology, Hell is not seen as entirely good or entirely evil, which is true for many gods.
In mythology, Hell is not seen as entirely good or entirely evil, which is true for many gods. The rules of morality and ethics applied to humans are not so clearly defined among the gods. The same cannot be said for Hela in the MCU, who is an out-and-out villain. In the MCU, Hela is introduced in Thor: Ragnarok Like the evil sister of Thor and Loki whom they had no idea existed. Not only is this a major change to Odin’s family tree, as Hel is not his daughter in Norse mythology, but it also seriously changes Hel’s behavior.
in Twilight of the GodsAs in Norse mythology, Hel is a morally ambiguous character, although she seems more ‘good’ than evil. Her main role is accurately overseeing the underworld, but she assists Sigrid in ways that suggest she is good, beneath her scary visage. This is one example of Twilight of the Gods Clearly more accurate than the MCU when it comes to Norse godsAlthough Hella is so much fun in Thor: Ragnarok That it is worth the change.
3
Odin
The All-Father has similarities in the MCU and Twilight of the Gods
Odin plays a key role in both the MCU and Twilight of the GodsAnd both depictions share similarities with Northern mythology. As in both stories, in mythology, Odin is the All-Father, which varies in meaning from the leader or king of all gods to the literal father of many Asir gods. He is also seen as a war god, which sometimes means cruel or violent behavior.
Twilight of the Gods Keeps the more vicious representation of Odin, especially at the end of the show when he brutally guts Seid-Kona and leaves her for dead. In the MCU, Odin comes across as a children’s figure, especially as these Thor Cinema progress. However, it is worth noting that the MCU suggests that something more jovial in its nature is a very recent development; It was Odin who fought alongside Hela and finally locked her away, after all. Odin’s dark past in the MCU, however minimally explored, therefore seems a bit closer to Odin in Norse mythology.
2
Loki
Both the MCU and Twilight of the Gods reveal that Loki is a trickster
Loki is easily one of the most beloved characters in the MCUWhich was evident when he starred in his own spin-off show, Lokiwhich ran for two seasons. In the MCU, Loki is an incredibly complex character, which is no doubt part of his popularity. He starts out as Tor’s antagonistic younger brother, who discovers he’s been adopted, which sends him into a spiral (to say the least).
This revelation leads to Loki’s appearance in The AvengersIn which he is the main villain. Despite Loki causing considerable damage and multiple casualties during this plot line, he eventually becomes a hero in the MCU, first by dying while trying to stab Thanos in the Avengers: Infinity WarAnd then by becoming the God of Stories in the Loki Season 2 ending. Throughout this complex story arc, Loki represents the trickster god he was in Norse mythology.
The role Loki plays as the god of mischief is fairly consistent throughout Norse mythology, the MCU, and Twilight of the Gods. in Twilight of the GodsLoki proves to be a similarly complex character. Although he is the cause of many of the issues in the show, including kicking off Ragnarök, it is revealed over the course of the show that it is because he is trying to protect his children. His bitterness over being a “good God” in Twilight of the Gods Similarly complicates him, suggesting Nuance is a key part of Loki’s character in all stories.
1
Thor
Thor’s character was completely different in Twilight of the Gods and the MCU
Thor’s characterization in Twilight of the Gods And the MCU is easily the most significant departure between the two in terms of representation of Norse gods. In the MCU, Thor is a lovable member of the Avengers team, and he becomes increasingly stupid as the franchise goes on. Recently, in Thor: Love and ThunderThor becomes a father to a little girl he adopts, which ends with a scene revealing that she has drawn a face on his iconic hammer, Mjölnir.
This is a major difference from Thor in Norse mythology and especially in Twilight of the Gods. In Norse mythology, Thor was the protector of humans, which is true in many ways in the MCU as well, but he is also known for a short temper and violent outbursts. in Twilight of the GodsThor is a terrifying, bloodthirsty villainAnd he’s unrecognizable when compared to the MCU’s characters. It is Thor’s massacre of Sigrid’s entire family, children included, that kicks off the events of the show.
Thor’s depictions really couldn’t be more different, although neither is completely accurate. Like many gods in Norse mythology, Thor is not seen as good or evil. By comparison, in the MCU, Thor is undeniably a hero, and in Twilight of the GodsThor is a ruthless villain. While both Twilight of the Gods And the MCU clearly taking liberties with Norse mythology, the stories of the 6 Norse gods are nonetheless entertaining in both.