The Asgardian god of thunder’s trilogy of films will come to a close when Thor: Ragnarok hits the theaters in November of 2017 – six years after the first installment came out. This third chapter in the Thor franchise is poised to have a more humorous and upbeat tone than the previous films of its series – 2011’s Thor and 2013’s Thor: The Dark World –, going as far as being labeled a “road-trip buddy comedy.”
Thor: Ragnarok will be directed by New Zealander Taika Waititi, who is new to the comic book movie genre. His most prominent works are 2014’s horror comedy What We Do In The Shadows and 2016's Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind Marvel Studios and its Marvel Cinematic Universe, will evidently return as a producer. The movie’s story was written by comic book veterans Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost.
Besides following up on the ongoing MCU plotlines, closing the Thor trilogy, and setting up this superhero universe for Avengers: Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok is also going to incorporate certain gladiatorial elements from the Planet Hulk comic book series.
In case you need to be reminded, this is Every Character Confirmed To Appear In Thor: Ragnarok.
16. THOR
The star of this franchise – Thor himself – will obviously be back for the third installment; this time sporting short hair that looks a lot like The Unworthy Thor’s comic book storyline visuals. While the look is only a superficial change, it actually seems to be in tune with the entire tone of the film, which promises to be unlike anything we’ve seen in the first and second Thor movies. The hero himself also appears to be more upbeat and comedic in the Thor: Ragnarok trailers.
Chris Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor. Without counting his short cameo in Doctor Strange, this will be the actor’s fifth time portraying the hero for the MCU, and he is already set for a sixth turn in Avengers: Infinity War.
15. LOKI
The MCU’s most hated (and consequently most beloved) villain ever will be back in Thor: Ragnarok. Loki fooled Thor at the end of Thor: The Dark World, pretending to be Odin and therefore ruling Asgard without having to put up a fight.
As Thor is supposedly banished from his rightful place and loses his hammer in Ragnarok, it is still uncertain where Loki will stand in the story. As comic book history has proven time and time again, however, Loki will probably first and foremost take his own side in the matter.
Actor Tom Hiddleston will be back as Loki for Thor: Ragnarok. The character hasn’t been seen since 2013’s Thor: The Dark World since his scenes in Avengers: Age of Ultron were all cut from the theatrical version of the film.
14. THE HULK
The film’s trailer features a major appearance by The Hulk, otherwise known as Dr. Bruce Banner. In Thor: Ragnarok, we see what happened to the hero after the devastating events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which he accidentally destroyed an entire village and then ashamedly flew away from Earth. The Hulk will now be seen as a very successful gladiator in the planet of Sakaar – a foe that Thor must defeat to stay alive.
The Hulk will once again be played by actor Mark Ruffalo, who has been portraying the character since 2012’s The Avengers. It’s hard to believe, but this will only be Mark Ruffalo’s third movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor, however, is also already confirmed for Avengers: Infinity War, which will be set up by Thor: Ragnarok.
13. HELA
Thor will be facing a new major threat in Ragnarok, and her name is Hela. According to Marvel Comics mythology, she is the ruler of both Hel and Niflheim. While she was imprisoned for a thousand years, she was unintentionally released and doesn’t seem to be eager to going back there anytime soon.
Hela can make appear weapons from many different parts of her body, and sometimes she is seen wearing a headpiece that can also inflict damage. In the Thor: Ragnarok teaser trailer, she is seen as a very strong opponent, going as far as destroying Thor’s hammer right in front of him.
The phenomenal, two-time Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett will be playing Hela. It will be the actress’ first comic book movie ever.
12. DOCTOR STRANGE
As it was teased in the mid-credit scene in 2016’s Doctor Strange, Thor and Stephen Strange will meet in the New York Sanctum, and such en event will take place in Thor: Ragnarok.
Besides the fact that Thor has come to Earth with Loki to search for Odin, little is known about what else this purpose of this meeting, and just how major Doctor Strange’s role in this third Thor movie will be. Certain rumors suggest, however, that his role is quite small, and that the meeting will take place in the very first minutes of Ragnarok, simply setting up Thor’s journey for the rest of the film.
Reprising his role as Doctor Stephen Strange is actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who is mostly known for his work in the TV series Sherlock and the 2014 film The Imitation Game.
11. GRANDMASTER
The Grandmaster, ruler of the planet of Sakaar, is poised to play a pretty significant role in Thor: Ragnarok, since that is the planet where The Hulk and Thor will face off in a gladiatorial match.
In the Ragnarok teaser trailer, we’ve seen Grandmaster as a royal and sort of flamboyant figure who seizes Thor and takes an interest in his fighting abilities. In the comic books, Grandmaster is known as an ageless Elder of the Universe who, at times, was described as being a brother to the Collector – seen in the MCU during 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and also set to return for Avengers: Infinity War.
Actor Jeff Goldblum is set to portray Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok. It is the character’s debut in a live-action project.
10. HEIMDALL
Heimdall is a fan-favorite in the Thor franchise, and he is certainly coming back for Ragnarok. As a matter of fact, during his Avengers: Age of Ultron cameo, it was Heimdall himself who warned Thor of the coming of Ragnarok.
The character had a much bigger role in Thor: The Dark World than he had in the first installment, a wise move from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to capitalize on the actor’s talent and mainstream appeal. In Ragnarok, since Asgard will be taken by Hela and Thor will be spending some time elsewhere, little is known regarding Heimdall’s involvement in the film.
Heimdall will once again be brought to life by actor Idris Elba, who had yet another high-profile work in 2017 with The Dark Tower.
9. VALKYRIE
As far as Thor’s love interest goes, Jane Foster seems to be history. In Thor: Ragnarok, audiences will be introduced to Valkyrie, who seems to be the right-hand person to Grandmaster – the ruler of Sakaar – and the one who actually seizes Thor.
Valkyrie, otherwise known as Brunnhilde, is a Marvel Comics character based on the Norse mythological figure Brynhildr. In the film, she will be an Asgardian warrior who went to Sakaar seeking to do business with Grandmaster. According to sources, Valkyrie is expected to appear in many other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which means that she will most likely appear in Avengers: Infinity War.
Actress Tessa Thompson, known for her work in the 2015 film Creed and HBO’s Westworld, will be portraying Valkyrie.
8. SIF
Sif, who had a much larger role in Thor: The Dark World but also was present in the original Thor, is see\ms set to return in Ragnarok.
As it became evident that Natalie Portman was no longer interested in portraying Jane Foster for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many speculated that Sif would rise up to become Thor’s love interest. With the news that Valkyrie is now poised to fill in that role, Sif is most likely going to become a strong and reliable sidekick for Thor, which is exactly what was depicted in the franchise’s second installment.
Jaimie Alexander teased her role as Sif in Thor: Ragnarok on Twitter. Besides the Thor movies, she was also seen in two episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s second season, which aired between 2014 and 2015.
7. SKURGE
Skurge the Executioner, an Asgardian warrior whose physiology is half Skornheimian and half Storm-Giant, will be introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thor: Ragnarok. Before this live-action debut, his most notable adaptation was in the direct-to-video animated movie Hulk vs. Thor.
While he’s been a longtime villain to Thor, little is known for certain regarding his role in the film. There have been times in which Skurge joined the good guys to save Asgard, including a storyline in which they had to go to Hel to delay Ragnarok from happening.
Skurge the Executioner will come to life in the body of actor Karl Urban, who is a franchise veteran. He has previously worked in The Lord of the Rings, Riddick, and the most recent Star Trek movies.
6. ODIN
Odin, Thor’s father, will return in Thor: Ragnarok, but almost nothing has been released regarding his whereabouts. As it was seen at the very end of Thor: The Dark World, Loki was pretending to be Odin so that he could rule Asgard, which left audiences wondering where the Asgardian King actually is and if he’s even alive.
According to reports, Thor and Loki go meet Doctor Strange in New York City to search for Odin. Loki, however, already supposedly knows where the King of Asgard is. If Odin has indeed died, he will only be seen through flashbacks in Ragnarok, and his death will have to be explained. If he’s alive, then the film will have to explain why would Loki leave his father trapped as Hela takes over control of Asgard.
The incredible Anthony Hopkins will reprise his role as Odin.
5. KORG
Korg is a Kronan warrior who was first introduced by Marvel Comics during the Planet Hulk comic book series, where he was seen as a Red King prisoner and Hulk ally in the gladiatorial battles they had to fight on the planet of Sakaar. In Thor: Ragnarok, he is poised to be a foe that Thor will have to face during his own battles in Sakaar. While a Kronan warrior was previously seen invading Asgard in Thor: The Dark World, there is no confirmation that it was indeed Korg.
There are no reports that indicate that Korg will join Thor and Hulk on their intergalactic “road-trip” across the universe, but maybe he will honor his comic book origins and become an ally, perhaps assisting the heroes in escaping Sakaar.
The director of Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi, will play Korg through a motion capture performance.
4. VOLSTAGG
Volstagg the Valiant is one third of the Asgardian group of fierce and loyal fighters known as the Warriors Three, who have been recurrent supporters of Thor in several comic book series. He was seen in both Thor and Thor: The Dark World, and is set to be back for Thor: Ragnarok.
The most important characteristics of Volstagg are his loyalty to the kingdom of Asgard and his physical capabilities to fight. He is a massive man who can inflict lots of damage and take several hits. He is a close friend to Odin and Thor, and is frequently seen fighting alongside Sif.
Volstagg will once again be portrayed by actor Ray Stevenson, who has actually portrayed a different Marvel character in the past: he was Frank Castle / The Punisher in the 2008 film Punisher: War Zone.
3. HOGUN
Along with Volstagg, Hogun is another third of the Warriors Three. He will also be returning in Thor: Ragnarok after being featured in both Thor and Thor: The Dark World. In the latter, Hogun is revealed to be a Vanir from Vanaheim.
Hogun the Grim is known as a more serious and introspective character, but just like the other members of the Warriors Three, his loyalty to Thor, Odin, and Asgard is unquestionable. Since much of Ragnarok will be spent outside of Asgard, little is known about Hogun’s role in the film, though one can be sure that he will fight against Hela to the best of his abilities.
Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano, who was most recently seen as Lord Kira Yoshinaka in the 2013 film 47 Ronin, will reprise his role as Hogun in Thor: Ragnarok.
2. FANDRAL
Fandral the Dashing is the third and last part of the Warriors Three. For lack of a better term, he is “the pretty one” of the group, though his fighting abilities are still undoubtedly great.
The character was seen in Thor and Thor: The Dark World fighting alongside Volstagg and Hogun. In the comics, he has been a longtime ally to Thor and Odin, sometimes even helping Loki if the matter serviced Asgardian interests.
In Thor: Ragnarok, Fandral will once again be portrayed by actor Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn Rider in Tangled and played the title character in the NBC television series Chuck. In the first Thor movie, the character was played by actor Joshua Dallas. Zachary Levi came on board in The Dark World sequel.
1. SURTUR
It was teased by Marvel Studios in the 2016 Comic-Con that Surtur will be featured in Thor: Ragnarok. The character is a massive fire demon who assists in bringing Ragnarok to Asgard, inspired by the Norse mythology fire giant called Surtr.
In the Thor #17 comic book, Surtur was described as one of Thor’s “ten most heinous enemies.” He is known for standing over 1,000 feet in height and being able to shape his molecules in different ways through the use of fire.
Though it is Hela who appears to be the major threat in Thor: Ragnarok and the one who actually brings destruction to Asgard, it is believed that Surtur will also play a role in the movie, as it was teased by Marvel Studios only a year prior to the film’s release.
---
Who are you most excited to see in Thor: Ragnarok? Let us know in the comments!