'Thor: Ragnarok' news: Titular character becomes a gladiator in upcoming movie
Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, and Tessa Thompson, the main cast of "Thor: Ragnarok," recently appeared on the cover of a popular entertainment magazine to give viewers a sneak peek of what to expect from the upcoming film.
The Entertainment Weekly teaser surprised a lot of fans because Hemsworth's Thor, who is known for his long blond hair, has had a drastic haircut, and Mjolnir, his trademark hammer, is missing. These two changes seem to be plot-driven, given that the Asgardian will find himself stranded on the planet Sakaar after being attacked by Hela (played by Blanchett), the Goddess of Death.
Thor will be forced to become a gladiator, battling against other super-powered beings like him. One such being is the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), who he and the rest of the Avengers have an uneasy alliance with.
Thompson, meanwhile, will play the role of Valkyrie. Little is known about this character so far. However, rumors indicate that she will be a new love interest of Thor. This has led some to question if Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who was romantically involved with the Asgardian in the first film, will be written out of the storyline in favor of Valkyrie.
Tom Hiddleston will be reprising his role as Loki, Thor's adopted brother and nemesis. His role in the film is still unclear, given that Hela seems to be the main villain of "Thor: Ragnarok." Also reprising their roles are Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Idris Elba as Heimdall. New to the film series are Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, a troublemaker who might just give Loki a run for his money, and Karl Urban as Skurge/Executioner, a long-time enemy of Thor.
Interestingly enough, while the title suggests an ending, given that Ragnarok in Norse mythology means the end of the world, this film does not seem to be the end of the "Thor" film series. Furthermore, the film's cast and crew have indicated that this project will contain more humor compared to its predecessors.
"Thor: Ragnarok" is set to air on Nov. 3.