Chris Hemsworth looks like he's ready for a fight in a new Thor: Ragnarok image. It has been four years since Alan Taylor's Thor: The Dark World hit theaters, and Marvel Studios is gearing up to release the latest installment in their Thor franchise -- Thor: Ragnarok. Directed by Taiki Waititi and based on a script by Eric Pearson, Ragnarok looks to be taking the character (and the franchise) in a different direction than previous iterations, beginning with the inclusion of another Avenger.
Waititi's upcoming film features the return of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, as well as Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, with Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch appearing as Hulk and Doctor Strange, respectively. Unlike the previous Thor film, though, Ragnarok adds a bevy of new characters and cast members, such as Cate Blanchett as Hela, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Karl Urban as Skurge, and Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster, among others.
Now that the film's marketing campaign has officially begun, Empire Magazine has debuted a new Thor: Ragnarok image, showing Chris Hemsworth shortly before he enters the gladiator arena for his ultimate showdown with Hulk.
Although the film is titled Thor: Ragnarok, it isn't a direct adaptation of the comic book of the same name. The movie also features aspects of the Planet Hulk series, which is evident by the inclusion of Hulk in the new film as well as the big gladiatorial match between the two superheroes. Some are concerned that the title (as well as the bigger emphasis on humor) is misleading to comic book fans (and audiences as a whole).
Regardless, people are excited for the new installment that comes years after The Dark World released, with an entirely new set of heroes having joined the fold. That's evident by the fact that Ragnarok's first trailer broke Disney and Marvel's in-house viewing record in April, racking up over 136 million views in its first 24 hours. It's possible people were responding to the Guardians of the Galaxy-esque feel the trailer exhibited (including the incorporation of Led Zepplin's "Immigrant Song"), but one of the things that viewers really want to see when the film releases is Thor taking on his fellow co-worker, Hulk.
Thor: Ragnarok is still a few months out, meaning that the new image is only the tip of the iceberg for what's to come. As we near the film's release, post-production is beginning to ramp up, especially with Ruffalo back on set for reshoots. But being a Marvel movie, there are things about the new installment that simply won't know about until we get closer to Thor: Ragnarok's release in November, like how it could set up the highly-anticipated Avengers: Infinity War.
Source: Empire
