[Potential SPOILERS for Thor: Ragnarok ahead.]

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As Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets going with this year’s Captain America: Civil War, two of the bigger Marvel players, Thor and the Hulk, will be absent in 2016, and instead will be returning back to the cosmos in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017. Also returning to the Marvel Universe is actor Idris Elba, who plays Heimdall - and many wonder what the Asgardian hero will do in the third Thor film. A new report suggests that Elba’s character may have a bigger role set up for him in the next Thor film.

Thor: Ragnarok will not only center on the titular character, but he will be sharing the space with Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Ruffalo has even compared Ragnarok to a “road movie” and even referenced its similarity to the film Midnight Run. In addition to the Hulk, Asgard will be seeing a new villain in its mists - possibly, in the form of Norse goddess Hela, ruler of the Underworld. Many fans have suspected that Hela (who might be played by actress Cate Blanchett) would turn up in the MCU because of Thor’s hellish visions in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The arrival of such a villain maybe tied to the role Elba’s Heimdall plays in the events of Ragnarok.

Last warning: there are potential MAJOR SPOILERS for Thor: Ragnarok ahead!

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Heimdall holding a sword in Thor: Ragnarok.

According to Latino Review, Elba may play an important role in the Ragnarok narrative... though, it might not seem that way at first:

“According to LR's sources about the developing THOR: RAGNAROK story, Hela will take Asgard and, Thor attempts to stop her. Hela lays the smackdown on the God of Thunder, destroying his hammer and straight up murdering Thor's friend Heimdall (Idris Elba).”

Here's the twist, though: with Hela’s abilities to command the dead, Heimdall wouldn't be killed off for nothing:

“But don't worry, Elba won't bow out of the MCU so easily. The final showdown with Hela will feature an army of the dead commanded by the villainess doing battle with good Valkyries from Valhalla and the souls of the righteous fallen, including Heimdall.”

While Elba’s character has stood on the sidelines for the majority of the first two Thor movies, he’s now going to be put at the forefront of the conflict between Hela and Thor. With the rising popularity of the actor, it’s no surprise that he’s given a bigger role in the third film.

Thor holding Mjolnir and looking back with a suspicious look on his face.

On the other hand, there could be another reason for the actor getting a larger role in the third Thor film. With Chris Hemsworth’s contract up after Avengers: Infinity War, this could be one of the last Thor movies, at least with the same actor. Plus, with Thor and Thor: The Dark World being among the lowest-grossing movies in the MCU right now (only ahead of Ant-Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Incredible Hulk), the Thor franchise might be winding down to an end. While Marvel is not one to kill off beloved characters, Heimdall’s death may have a ring of finality to it, regardless.

NEXT: Mark Ruffalo Teases Hulk's Journey in Ragnarok & Infinity War

Captain America: Civil War will release on May 6, 2016, followed by Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; Inhumans – July 12, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on May 1, July 10 and November 6, 2020.

Source: Latino Review