Marvel has confirmed casting for the upcoming third film in the company’s popular Thor franchise, Thor: Ragnarok.
In addition to Chris Hemsworth and co., the film will feature two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Blue Jasmine) as the mysterious new villain Hela. In the comics, Hela is the daughter of Loki and is based on the Norse goddess of death, Hel. Hela and Loki attempt to begin the Ragnarok, the apocalypse, by joining forces and killing Baldur and then attacking Asgard. Blanchett’s Hela and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki could be a villainous duo to rival all others.
Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day) will star as the eccentric Grandmaster, which is the kind of role Goldblum excels at. Whether or not Goldblum will wear blue paint and have white hair has yet to be seen.
Tessa Thompson (Creed, Selma) will bring the classic hero Valkyrie to life in the Marvel cinematic universe, and Karl Urban (Star Trek reboots, The Lord of the Rings, Dredd) will appear as the Asgardian Executioner, Skurge.
Hulk fans can rejoice, as Mark Ruffalo will be reprising his role as Bruce Banner/the Hulk from the cinematic universe. Expect lots of smashing.
“The continuation of the epic Thor franchise will be powerful and unique, and with the additions of Cate, Jeff, Tessa, Karl, and Mark to the cast we have the makings of his most dangerous and heroic adventure yet,” said producer Kevin Feige in a Marvel press release. “The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can’t be quantified. Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honor, and having all of them is incredible.”
Idris Elba (Pacific Rim, BBC’s Luther) will return as the guardian of Asgard, Heimdall. Hiddleston (Crimson Peak, High Rise) will return as Thor’s troublesome brother Loki, and Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs, The Edge) will return as the wise Allfather, Odin. Thor:Ragnarok is set to be directed by Taika Waititi, famous for the tongue-in-cheek vampire-fauxumentary What We Do in the Shadows.
Thor: Ragnarok hits U.S. theaters on November 3, 2017.