2017 is here, which means we now live in the year in whichThor: Ragnarokwill hit theaters. Granted, theThorfranchise both critically and commercially has been a struggling point for Marvel Studios, but hopes are sky high forRagnarok—especially after reading the just-released synopsis.Hunt for the WilderpeopleandWhat We Do in the ShadowsfilmmakerTaika Waititidirects this sequel, which findsChris Hemsworth’s Thor sharing the screen withMark Ruffalo’s Hulk. How do the two characters come to be together, you ask? Well the official synopsis (kind of) has the answer:
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!
So it sounds likeRagnarokis incorporating elements of thePlanet Hulkcomics storyline that found Hulk fighting in gladiatorial matches in outer space. This feels like a tonally dynamic sequel with plenty of opportunity for fun, which makes Waititi’s hiring a perfect match.
What else do we know aboutThor: Ragnarok? Well,Cate Blanchettfills the role of the villainous Hela, marking a massive casting coup for Marvel. AndTom Hiddlestonreturns as Loki for the first time sinceThor: The Dark World. We’ll also be introduced toJeff Goldblumas Grandmaster, a cosmic being fascinated with game and chance who also happens to be one of the Elders of the Universe. And there’sKarl Urbanas the villainous Skurge, an Asgardian warrior who is likely Hela’s right hand man. Last but not least, there’sTessa Thompsonas the Asgardian warrior Valkyrie, one of the film’s most anticipated characters.
The synopsis also reveals that the final screenplay credits are as follows: Story by comics writer (andPlanet Hulkcreator)Craig Kyle&Christopher Yost(Thor: The Dark World) andStephany Folsom, with the “screenplay by” credit going toEric Pearson, the writer of the Marvel One-ShotsAgent Carter,Item 47,A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer, andThe Consultant.
Check out the first image from the film below.Thor: Ragnarokalso starsIdris ElbaandAnthony Hopkinsand opens in theaters on November 3rd.
