The first trailer for Avengers: Endgame. Yet, it is the appearance of Korg, now travelling the galaxy with Thor, that reinforces one of the biggest issues with Waititi's previous Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, Thor: Ragnarok.
Thor: Ragnarok introduces Korg, a Kronan living on the planet Sakaar, who is made entirely of rocks. Alongside his insectoid companion, Miek, the pair introduce Thor to his new life as a gladiator and eventually team up with the Asgardian, as well as Loki, Valkyrie, and the Hulk to overthrow the Grandmaster and defeat Guardians of the Galaxy, director Taika Waititi quickly removes the Warriors Three from the picture in the first act of Thor: Ragnarok.
Bringing Korg back as Thor's new best friend in Thor: Love and Thunder highlights how easily the Warriors Three were disposed of in Ragnarok. Korg and Meik are good friends with Thor, as evidenced in Avengers: Endgame, as the three live together in New Asgard, playing video games and drinking beers. However, positioning Korg as Thor's new companion completely diminishes the Warriors Three's insultingly quick Thor: Ragnarok death, showing that they no longer matter in the MCU. It is strange to remove almost every element of the original Thor, except Loki and Thor themselves. The Warriors Three represent the more Shakespearean vibe of the first Thor and therefore seem to have no place in Waititi's reimagining of the series.
It is true that the trio are not the most interesting characters, and Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun lack much of an identity beyond being loyal, noble Asgardian warriors. However, the way in which director Taika Waititi disposes of them in Ragnarok is stark and does not show the characters respect. This is even more apparent as Thor makes no mention of the Warriors' deaths throughout Ragnarok. Having Korg appear post-Avengers Endgame as Thor's traveling companion highlights how the hero shows no regard for their death in Ragnarok, and makes it seem like the MCU is trying to forget Thor and Thor: The Dark World completely, in favor of Waititi's zany take on the franchise.
Interestingly, another Asgardian friend to Thor from Thor and The Dark World, Lady Sif, is due to appear in Thor: Love and Thunder. The character is mentioned in Ragnarok, and appears briefly in the TV series, Korg, Lady Sif, and Valkyrie may aid Thor and the Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder, but their prominent positions just make Waititi's decision to kill the Warriors Three so abruptly in Thor: Ragnarok that much more insulting.
