Jane Foster was first introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a struggling scientist trying to figure out the secrets of the universe in Thor (2011). Jane, played by Natalie Portman who also plays Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, met Thor after he crash-landed on Earth. The Asgardian prince becomes her gateway to learning about the existence of alien life and Asgardian magic.
With the release of Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Jane Foster became more than just Jane Foster – she became Thor. Literally. Taking on Mjolnir and Thor’s name, she became the Asgardians’ newest hero for a brief time. Taika Watiti’s decision to bring back Marvel Comics’ Lady Thor was — and continues to be –divisive among fans of the Thor franchise.
All the backstory aside, it’s honestly a lot to take in. there are tons of battles and character arcs that happen in the MCU and its alternate timelines which can get pretty confusing if you weren’t keeping track of the MCU from the very first Avengers movie. That said, here’s a full timeline of Jane’s story, how her character develops, the beginning and end of her relationship with Thor, and her journey of learning the ropes of superherohood.
Jane Enters the MCU in Thor (2011)
Jane Foster is introduced into the MCU as an astrophysicist working in New Mexico together with Darcy Lewis and Dr. Erik Selvig. (Note: Darcy makes a return in Wandavision (2021) as a specialist working with S.H.I.E.L.D. to unveil the strange vents in Westview, New Jersey.)
S.H.I.E.L.D arrives to capture Thor, section off the area where Mjolnir fell, and confiscate the data Jane gathered from the night of his crash. Though Jane, Erik, and Darcy are able to help Thor escape, he is unable to lift Mjolnir and becomes trapped on Earth. It’s during this time that the two develop a close romantic relationship.
Loki sends the Destroyer, a magical automaton, to kill Thor, but his friends Sif and the Warriors Three arrive in time to help him in the hopes that they can return to Asgard together. While Thor is off fighting Loki, Jane is on Earth figuring out how to create a portal to Asgard, demonstrating her intelligence and ability to deduce similarities between human science and Asgardian magic. This comes in handy later on when she meets Frigga in Thor: The Dark World.
There’s Trouble In Paradise In The Avengers (2012)
While Thor is off saving the world with the Avengers, subduing Loki, and protecting Earth in the Chitauri invasion, he forgets one thing: the fact that his girlfriend has been trying to get a hold of him, and yet he hasn’t reached out to her even though he’s on Earth.
Jane is pissed.
Jane Holds the Reality Stone In Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Jane Foster is still working on her portal to Asgard when she hears about an anomalous factory in London where portals to other dimensions keep springing up. She flies in with Darcy and is pulled into a dark planet where she comes into contact with the Aether.
The Aether, a.k.a the Reality Stone, alerts Heimdall to Jane’s whereabouts. He tells Thor who then arrives to spirit her to Asgard in search of a cure because Jane’s human body can’t hold the energy and power of the Reality Stone.
Malekith, a Dark Elf with a grudge against the All-Father, arrives at Asgard to take the Aether from Jane. Thor’s mother, Frigga, confronts Malekith and dies protecting Jane. to get his vengeance, Loki hatches a plan to trick Malekith into appearing to them in Svartalfheim with Jane Foster and the Aether as bait. Malekith is defeated and Jane returns to Earth.
Jane Breaks Up With Thor in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers take down Hydra and throw a party to celebrate. Tony asks Thor about Jane’s absence and he says she’s just “busy working”.
Everyone Knows in Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
A pair of Thor fangirls approach Thor and one tells him he’s sorry Jane dumped him. Thor tries to tell Loki that he wasn’t dumped and that the breakup was mutual. Loki just pats his back.
Jane Is Snapped Out of Existence in Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Thanos gets his hands on all the Infinity Stones during the battle against the Avengers. In one snap of his Infinity Gauntlet, he wipes out half of all life from the universe, taking Jane Foster out with it.
Jane Foster Becomes Thor In Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Jane Foster is diagnosed with cancer. Contrary to what fans expected, the Aether didn’t cause her disease. It was just regular old terrible cancer. After hearing about New Asgard, she goes there in hopes that she can find a magical cure as she likely remembers Frigga telling her that science and magic are one in Asgard. That and it’s implied Mjolnir is magically calling out to her.
When she arrives, Mjolnir immediately responds to her and reassembles itself into a hammer that she can use. Mjolnir reassembles itself for Jane because of an enchantment Thor accidentally placed on it by telling Mjolnir to always protect Jane. seeing that she is ill, Mjolnir interprets this as something to protect her from.
Thor arrives in New Asgard to help fight Gorr the God Butcher and is surprised to see Jane and Mjolnir together. Jane, Valkyrie, and Thor set out to fight Gorr. Like with the Aether, Jane’s body struggles to accept Mjolnir’s power, and transforming into Thor brings her closer to death. Faced with no decision but to save Thor and die or let Thor die and live a little longer, she makes the ultimate sacrifice to save him.
Gorr is moved by this, reminded of his daughter Love whose death spurred his rage against the gods. The two are able to defeat Gorr by convincing him to wish for his daughter to come back to life instead of wishing for all gods to die.
Jane is next seen arriving at the gates of Valhalla.
Alternate Timelines Where Jane Foster Appears
Jane Foster’s current main story ends with her death but she also makes a few appearances in the alternate timelines of the MCU because of all the timeline shenanigans that happen due to the Infinity Stones.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Thor and Rocket travel back in time to Thor: The Dark World where Thor sees Frigga for one last time. While she’s distracted, Rocket sneaks in to take the Reality Stone.
What If…? (2021)
In What If episodes titled What If…Thor Were an Only Child? And What If…the Watcher Broke His Oath?, Jane appears in a more or less similar role of a genius astrophysicist who serves as a love interest for Thor.
Is Jane Foster Really Dead?
Is anyone ever really dead in the MCU? While there’s no news yet of Jane Foster making a return to the cinematic universe, chances are she’ll make a comeback sooner or later.