‘Victor Magtanggol’ based on Norse mythology, not Marvel’s Thor, says creator

When the trailer for upcoming fantasy series “Victor Magtanggol” was released, it seemed inevitable that it would be compared to Marvel’s Thor.

The video shows Alden Richards, with his signature clean-cut hair, dressed in full armor and a long cape and holding a hammer sparking with lightning. He lands in what appears to be a medieval hall or castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMYEp0oD_m8

The resemblance is quite uncanny with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who is equipped with his mighty hammer Mjolnir and is garbed in metallic armor and a long, flowing cape.

Thor in the 2011 movie of the same name  (Image: Marvel)

Jules Katanyag, the show’s concept creator told GMA Network in an exclusive interview that writers were tasked to create a story based on Norse mythology. He said the result was one that “best reflects the Filipino condition,” which is that of uncertainty.

The series’ timeline is in “the present day” and is set in the Philippines.

He clarifies that Norse mythology is “public domain” and that since it picks up from there, characters and other terms will have similar names as those in the Marvel version. But in this iteration, Ragnarok, a series of catastrophic events, has already occurred and wiped out powerful gods including Thor. Thus, Victor Magtanggol, he stresses, is not Thor.

Victor Magtanggol’s villain is Loki, the god of mischief, whose evil plans he must battle to avoid the world from falling into chaos.

“Victor Magtanggol is a true Filipino character, who loves his country and family, and reflects our virtue of resilience and capacity to sacrifice for the things that we love,” Katanyag explained.

However, he did not elaborate on the hero’s powers. We’ll have to wait and see if he will remain to be a warrior who is out to protect Asgard with his trusty Mjolnir, such as in the Marvel version, or if his capabilities and mission will extend beyond that.

Meanwhile, costume designer Edrian Baydo said the costume was inspired by Viking lamellar—a body armor made of rectangular plates—and “Moro maille armor.”

In 2016, GMA drew flak for “Alyas Robin Hood,” which was then compared to the CW show “Arrow.” GMA head writer Suzette Doctolero said that the series was based on Robin Hood and not the DC superhero, who is known in the comics as the Green Arrow.

“Victor Magtanggol” premieres this month.  Niña V. Guno /ra

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