It's the sequel that reinvented both the character and the franchise, so let's revisit the cast and characters of Thor: Ragnarok. When Marvel first announced their plan to make a cinematic universe out of their lesser-known superheroes, the industry greeted the idea with intense skepticism. Even when 2008's Iron Man proved to be a huge success, it remained to be seen if audiences would accept a seemingly outdated character like Captain America or the fantastical elements of Thor.
History proved Marvel was right to take the gamble, with the MCU soon inspiring other studios to seek out their own cinematic universes. Chris Hemsworth has grown into the role of Thor over the past decade and even when solo entries like Thor: The Dark World proved disappointing, he always brought charisma and humor to the character. Thor: Ragnarok proved to be a major reinvention of the character and put more of an emphasis on humor and colorful action.
Thor: Ragnarok also introduced a new batch of characters to the franchise, so let's take a look at the film's cast and their connections to MCU.
Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Hemsworth returns as Thor following his two solo adventuress and both Avengers movies. Thor finds himself trying to prevent the prophesied destruction of Asgard while escaping imprisonment from a gladiator planet. In addition to the MCU, Hemsworth is best known for movies like Ghostbusters and the upcoming Men In Black: International.
Tessa Thompson - Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson plays Valkyrie, a former Asgardian warrior who became a slave trader. She later helps Thor escape Sakaar. Thompson will reprise the role for Avengers: Endgame and also appeared in the Creed movies and Sorry To Bother You.
Tom Hiddleston - Loki
Probably the most popular villain in the MCU, Hiddleston's Loki returned for the first time since The Dark World. While still an anti-hero, Loki earns some redemption for his misdeeds in past Thor movies and The Avengers. Hiddleston returned for Avengers: Infinity War and will reprise Loki for a Disney+ series.
Cate Blanchett - Hela
Cate Blanchett plays Hela in the Thor: Ragnarok cast, who is the goddess of death and Thor's older sister who was banished by their father Odin. Ragnarok remains Blanchett's only MCU outing to date and she most recently appeared in movies like Ocean's 8 and The House With A Clock In Its Walls.
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
Jeff Goldblum plays the ruler of Sakaar the Grandmaster in Ragnarok and puts his own delightfully quirky stamp on the role. Grandmaster is also the brother of Benicio del Toro's Collector from Guardians Of The Galaxy. Outside of the MCU, Goldblum is best known for The Fly and his role in the Jurassic Park franchise.
Taika Waititi - Korg
In addition to directing Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi also plays loveable rock gladiator Korg, who steals every scene he's in. Korg is set to reappear in Avengers: Endgame, while Waititi has also starred and directed acclaimed horror comedy What We Do In The Shadows.
Idris Elba - Heimdall
Idris Elba's Heimdall previously appeared in the first two Thor movies and made a cameo in Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Heimdall is back in Ragnarok, defending the citizens of Asgard from Hela. The character returned one final time for Avengers: Infinity War. Elba is best known for TV show The Wire, Prometheus and will appear in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
Mark Ruffalo - Bruce Banner / Hulk
Mark Ruffalo inherited the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk from Edward Norton, and first appeared in 2012's The Avengers. He later returned for Age Of Ultron and a brief in Iron Man 3. In Ragnarok, Hulk has taken over from Banner and is a famous gladiator on Sakaar, until Banner eventually regains control. Ruffalo returned as both characters for Infinity War and Endgame.
Anthony Hopkins - Odin
Thor and Loki's father, who previously appeared in Thor and Thor: The Dark World. Loki knocked him off his throne in The Dark World, and he dies after revealing the truth about Hela to his sons.
Benedict Cumberbatch - Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange in the Thor: Ragnarok cast following his own solo movie, who briefly appears to help Thor find Odin. Doctor Strange returned for Infinity War and Endgame, and Doctor Strange 2 has also been confirmed.
