“Thor: Love and Thunder” earned $143 million in its opening weekend in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.

To a large degree, modern blockbuster moviemaking has depended on the appeasement of fans to keep franchise juggernauts smoothly humming.

Noah Syndergaard was rocked in his return to New York, giving up Matt Carpenter’s two-run homer in a four-run first inning that propelled the Yankees over the reeling Los Angeles Angels 9-1.

Hollywood is bringing out some of its biggest and most reliable players for the 2022 summer movie season, which unofficially kicks off this weekend with the help of Marvel and Disney’s “Doctor Strange and the Multitverse of Madness” and runs through the end of August.

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It was an unexpected pick for Best In Show on Thursday at the National Dog Show. Thor, a 2-year-old, 60-pound tan and white bulldog, beat out more than 2,000 other good boys and girls to win the title. He even beat the number one ranked dog in the world, and he isn’t even ranked himself. “I love this dog,” handler Eduardo Paris said in an interview after the show, which aired on Thursday but actually took place earlier this month. “He’s a very complete dog... he moves like a dream.”The National Dog Show has aired after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade for the last 18 years.

With Thor: Ragnorak, Marvel Studios reset the tone of the God of Thunder's franchise, offering a hilarious interplanetary outing. But, according to director Taika Waititi, who's helming the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder as well, the cast and crew are just getting started. As fans know, Waititi didn't only direct Ragnorak, he also had a supporting role as Korg, the dry-witted new friend of Thor's, who's entirely made of rocks. Jojo Rabbit arrives in theaters on Friday while Thor: Love and Thunder drops on Nov. 5, 2021. RELATED CONTENT: Natalie Portman Says She's Excited to Wield the Hammer in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (Exclusive) Embed Code RestartUpcoming Marvel Movies: The Full List From 'The Eternals' to 'Thor: Love and Thunder' and MoreNatalie Portman Talks Returning to Marvel for 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (Exclusive)Taika Waititi on 'Thor 4' and Bringing Back Natalie Portman (Exclusive)

Natalie Portman says she can't wait to take on the powers of the God of Thunder in Marvel's upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. Regarding her temporary departure from the series, Portman said, "Obviously, I wasn't written into [Thor: Ragnarok] because of where it took place. It was the first Thor film to be helmed by director Taika Waititi, who has also been tasked with overseeing the upcoming Love and Thunder. Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release in November 2021. RELATED CONTENT:Taika Waititi on 'Thor 4' and Bringing Back Natalie Portman (Exclusive)Kat Dennings Had the Perfect Reaction to 'Genius' Casting of Natalie Portman as Thor (Exclusive)Cate Blanchett Reacts to Natalie Portman Playing Thor in 'Love and Thunder' (Exclusive)Natalie Portman Returns as Thor in New Film: Kevin Feige Says 'She Was in Right Away' (Exclusive)

"[She's] a Thor," the 44-year-old New Zealander clarified following the film's presentation when asked about the Oscar-winning actress taking over the role. "There's still the other Thor, the original Thor [played by Chris Hemsworth]." She'll be reprising her character from Thor and Thor: Dark World, Jane Foster, who will become the newest hammer-wielding superhero in the film. While on hand on Friday, Waititi also discussed the role he'll be playing in Disney+'s upcoming Star Wars marquee series, The Mandalorian. RELATED CONTENT:Kat Dennings Had the Perfect Reaction to 'Genius' Casting of Natalie Portman as Thor (Exclusive)Cate Blanchett Reacts to Natalie Portman Playing Thor in 'Love and Thunder' (Exclusive)Natalie Portman Returns as Thor in New Film: Kevin Feige Says 'She Was in Right Away' (Exclusive)

The WandaVision star spoke with ET at Disney's D23 Expo on Friday, where she was gleeful about Natalie Portman's upcoming turn as the first-ever female Thor. "I think it's genius and I'm very excited," Dennings added. Dennings and Portman starred together in two Marvel Cinematic Universe films, 2011's Thor and 2013's Thor: The Dark World. The comic run Dennings is referring to was called The Mighty Thor, which director Taika Waititi has revealed is, indeed, the inspiration for the upcoming 2021 superhero flick, Thor: Love and Thunder. For even more on Portman's Thor, watch the video below.

We were always about doing what we always tried to do in Phase One, Two and Three, which is do a film of character you already know, [like] Black Widow, in a way that you don't expect." "We wanted to do our big ensemble like we did in Phase Two with 'Guardians,' and that's what 'Eternals is," said Feige. 3" and sequels to "Black Panther" and "Captain Marvel." Diversity has clearly reverberated deeply with audiences embracing superheroes that look and feel like they do, with Captain Marvel and Black Panther as cases in point. "We love the story -- it's one of the best comic runs recently," said Feige.

During the Marvel panel at Comic-Con on Saturday, it was revealed that Natalie Portman will be be returning to the Marvel franchise as Jane Foster. ETs Ashley Crossan spoke with Marvel super-producer Kevin Feige afterward, when he explained how the concept for the upcoming film came together. Feige added that "when Taiki had this idea and pitched it to her, she was in right away." The upcoming film will also feature franchise regular Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, who will officially be the first LGBTQ superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Get loads more news from the Marvel panel right here.