Summary
A deleted scene fromThor: The Dark Worldalmost altered the trajectory of theMCUseries.The Dark Worldnotably features the death of Frigga - Queen of Asgard and Thor and Loki’s mother - inthe MCU timeline.After Thor brought Jane to Asgard to protect her from the powers of the Aether inside of her, Frigga defended her against the Dark Elves. However, Frigga died protecting Jane as neither Thor nor Odin could get to them in time. Her death was a pivotal moment for many characters in the franchise, though it could’ve almost gone quite differently.
In adeleted scene fromThor: The Dark World, Frigga still dies at the hand of Kurse, but under different circumstances. Here, Odin arrived in time to help Frigga, but made a questionable decision to take a peaceful approach, laying down his weapon instead of killing Malekith and Kurse, to which the Dark Elves responded by fatally stabbing Frigga regardless. Although this version of Frigga’s death was interesting in its own way, the studio ultimately made the right choice to keep Frigga’s alternate death out of the film for the sake of a future villain.
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Thor: The Dark World’s Deleted Version Of Frigga’s Death Would’ve Totally Changed Hela’s Story
Odin’s actions inThe Dark Worlddeleted scene would’ve made Hela’s MCU introduction far more complicated. The deleted scene showed Odin wanting to take a peaceful approach with the Dark Elves to separate himself from his warlike father, whichwould’ve clashed with Hela’s introduction inThor: Ragnarok. Odin and his first-born child had a complicated, tumultuous relationship, as Odin mainly used Hela as a weapon of war. The two clashed because Odin realized that peace was a better option for Asgard going forward, while Hela was still set on pursuing violent conquests.
In Hela’s eyes, Odin was no better than her despite his change of heart, as his bloody takeover of the Nine Realms was recorded in history. Having the moment inThe Dark Worldwhere Odin chooses peace over the safety of his wife made it seem like he’d become adverse to violence to the point of it being its own problem, rather than his approach being a reflection of his growth. This would’ve changed the way that Hela’s story was told inRagnarok, as Odin’s genuine and clear growth is why their clash in views lived on.
Thor’s Deleted Scene Would’ve Made Thor: Ragnarok Trickier To Tell
The Dark Worlddeleted scenewould’ve implied that Odin was partially at fault for Frigga’s fatedue to his poor decision. Such guilt would’ve had to impact the rest oftheThorfranchise, and it would’ve altered Thor and Loki’s relationship with their father subsequently. Not only would Hela’s story change with the Odin decision, but it would’ve also madeRagnarokharder to tell by making its moral underpinings a little less clear.
Frigga’s alternate death scene would’ve added some interesting perspectives, but it was ultimately rightfully deleted fromThe Dark World. Having neither Thor or Odin arrive in time to save her simplified the consequences going forward, especially with Hela’s introduction imminent inRagnarok. Hela’s clash with her father was based on their violent history, so showing Odin’s desire for peace as flawed would’ve complicated matters considerably. The decision was ultimately what was best for theThorfranchise, as avoiding using this iteration of theThor: The Dark Worldscene helped make Hela effective as a villain.
