I'm not sure Thor counts as one of Marvel's "Big Three", nor Iron Man, for that matter. (Unless we're talking about the MCU.)

That said, it's an interesting change, though I liked the big lug.

I'd be more interested if they had announced a Black Widow or Captain Marvel movie.

Maybe that's the big SDCC announcement.

Thor's always been one of the big three in the Avengers (along with the other two named), though for overall Marvel iconic status through the decades I'd say it's Cap, Spider-Man, and the Hulk.

From the article it sounds like an entirely new person stepping into Thor's role as a legacy character rather than actually being Thor but now female due to someone besides Don Blake picking up the hammer. I wonder if it's Tarene since she already has the powers and is Thor's #1 fangirl?

Marvel Comics Writers Explain Why They’re Making Thor a Woman.

We can’t give away all the story details now obviously, but once the story is out there, it becomes clear why there’s a new female Thor. It’s not about filling a certain quota. It’s about providing a shot in the arm to the Thor titles definitely, but it’s something that’s a natural part of where this story and the Thor title is going.

So they don't really explain why they're making Thor a woman. Good headline, Time.

She wields the hammer because Thor can’t. This is different because for reasons we can’t disclose quite yet, Thor is unable to pick up the hammer. There are a number of women in Thor’s life, and we’re going to tease out for quite awhile the identity of who this woman is. But one of the women in Thor’s life picks up the hammer. She is in fact worthy. And she becomes Thor.

Maybe you're right, Matt! It wasn't clear from the announcement whether it would be a completely new character or someone already in the comics.

We see fans of all shapes and sizes and genders in comic stores and at conventions. And we perceived there to be a real thirst for characters that reflect what we see in the mirror. From Miles Morales, the African-American Spider-Man, to the new female Thor, our goal is to make our characters reflect the outside world.

Right now we have eight titles that are anchored by female leads where it’s that character’s name on the masthead. We’re definitely committed to growing that audience.

Good!

But comics are for men! She better be scantily clad.

She's got boob armor!

Falcon is the new Captain America! Marvel isn't fucking around. Maybe this whole week is just Thor is a woman and Captain America is black and Iron Man is gay and Daredevil is blind wait.

On the disabilities front Bruce Banner is currently brain-damaged and I think the plan was for Hawkeye to be deaf by now (though with the multiple delays it may turn out to be a natural consequence of aging instead of injury by a villain). It does kind of feel like Marvel Editorial is playing a game of diversity bingo, even if the end result is a trend I approve of.

I think the plan was for Hawkeye to be deaf by now

Oh right! I remember Fraction saying that.

Hm, they didn't go for the trifecta and make Iron Man gay after all. Instead they're going Dark Stark or something.