Another Asgardian Was Almost Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

With the release of Avengers: Endgame, the fate of the Asgardians has been left in flux, with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) joining up with the Guardians of the Galaxy and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) taking the throne as leader of Asgard. But, as released concept art revealed this week, another Asgardian could have been in the fray of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Balder, the brother of Thor, who nearly appeared in Thor: The Dark World.

According to CBR, artist Charlie Wen posted unused concept art on Instagram showing a character whom Wen identifies as Balder, remarking that it was “What Thor’s other brother almost looked like.” He added that he was revisiting the design "before I leave #thorthedarkworld behind."

In the comics, Balder is another son of Odin and longtime companion of Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three. He has recurred periodically, always as a friend and lieutenant of Thor or Odin. Presumably, Balder would have appeared in the film as one of Thor’s allies.

However, given the deaths of the Warriors Three in Thor: Ragnarok and Thor’s ally Heimdall (Idris Elba) in Avengers: Infinity War, it’s unclear what Balder’s prospects would have been. In any case, the character may have been cut due to Loki’s existing role as Thor’s brother.

We love seeing concept art like this--it helps us see the bits of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that could have been.