*Spoiler Warning: this article includes plot details and omissions from Thor: Ragnarok*

Early reviews of Thor: Ragnarok describe the film as one of the best and most entertaining releases from Marvel Studios yet, but as we learned from seeing it early for the media junket, there's one major, inexplicable issue: Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) is nowhere to be found in the film. How can that be?

We knew from visiting the Australian sets of Thor: Ragnarok last year that despite Marvel, Chris Hemsworth, and director Taika Waititi's goals to distance themselves from what came before and do something fresh, the supporting Asgardian characters would of course return to finish their arcs. And most do, except one key one in Sif.

Heimdall, Odin, and the Warriors Three all make appearances - some of them all too brief - alongside the many new characters and returning stars, but Sif isn't even mentioned. When we spoke to producer and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, we just had to ask what's up with that.

Screen Rant: Yeah, you can definitely see his finger print on the MCU and it’s so amazing. He took a superhero genre and made it beyond that. It’s mind-blowing. The next question I have is where’s Lady Sif?

Kevin Feige: You’re the second person to ask me that question today and I will quote Maz Kanada from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, “that is a good question for another time.” Is that the quote? It’s pretty close to that.

Nice dodge, Mr. Feige.

Update: Jaimie Alexander has revealed why she didn't reprise her role as Lady Sif in Thor: Ragnarok, citing a scheduling conflict with her show Blindspot.

With the untitled Avengers 4 in May 2019 representing the end of not only Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the full-on conclusion of the franchise as we know it, what other time can we address this question? Thor: Ragnarok deals with - as the title reveals - "Ragnarok" so the whereabouts and lack of Lady Sif currently doesn't make sense.

Either this is a major plot hole or unanswered question in the MCU that we need to add to our growing list, or it's weirdly being saved to be addressed later. Does that mean Sif could appear in one of the upcoming two Avengers movies? Could she make another appearance in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments.

More: Is It Possible For Marvel To Fix Their Broken Timeline?

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!

Thor: Ragnarok is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.

Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Eric Pearson and Craig Kyle & Christopher L. Yost wrote the screenplay.

Key Release Dates