Thor’s back and this time he’s bringing the Hulk with him.
Thor: Ragnarok is being referred to as The Winter Soldier of the MCU’s Phase Three, which means it’s going to be a big game changer. Given that Thor’s films usually have usually focused on world building rather than plot advancement, that makes this rumor pretty enticing. But what is Ragnarok really about and how will it change Marvel’s on screen universe?
Well, we’ve created this guide to keep track of all the info to keep you up to date so you don’t need to ask anymore unanswered questions.
[UPDATE 12/31/15] We have info about the tone and setting of the film in the “What will the film be about?” section!
What is the title of the film?
Thor: Ragnarok.
What does Ragnarok mean?
Ragnarok is an apocalyptic event in Norse mythology that tells of a great battle that will result in the deaths of many Norse Gods, which could mean Odin, Thor, Loki, Heimdall, etc.
We’ve heard that this film is going to be a real game changer for the MCU, which makes us think that Ragnarok will refer to the destruction of Asgard, which would set up the Infinity War and Loki possibly joining the Avengers.
Who’s writing and directing?
Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do In The Shadows) is directing the film.
Craig Kyle (X-Men: Evolution) and Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World) wrote the initial passes on the screenplay. Stephany Folsom (1969: A Space Odyssey) is writing the current script.
What will the film be about?
While there’s no official synopsis yet, the film is being described as a “cosmic road trip” that involves both Thor and Dr. Bruce Banner that will probably have the goal of saving Asgard and/or the universe as we know it.
Here’s a few things we know:
- It’s also being rumored that the story is incredibly dark, which is why they hired a director who knows how to bring comedy out of material in order to keep the film from becoming too morose. A lot of that humor will mostly come from the Thor/Hulk relationship.
- This being a road trip, most of the movie won’t take place on Earth or Asgard.
- The story will feature the Valkyries somehow.
- It’s being reported the film will have a female villain, which may or may not be Enchantress.
- Loki masquerading as Odin and usurping Asgard’s throne in The Dark World will factor into the story.
[Updated 12/23/15] In an interview with Aintitcoolnews, Mark Ruffalo says that it’s a distinct possibility Bruce Banner will find his personality merging with The Hulk:
“He’s on the run. I think that we carry that through. It’s not just a matter of taking himself to some remote place and hiding. Now he’s removing himself from humanity altogether. I’m not sure where we’re going to head with that, but I’m sure that’s probably still very much alive within him.
It’s very subtle, but the Banner/Hulk consciousness is beginning to meld a little bit. Who decided to leave? Was it Banner or Hulk? It’s not really in the mythology of Hulk up until that moment to be that conscious and pro-active. It’s interesting, right?”
[Update 12/31/15] Marvel producer Kevin Feige has elaborated on the tone of the film and its setting in the Marvel universe:
“I don’t think people will read into that title alone [regarding] what the movie’s going to be. It’s going to be, perhaps, as totally different from the two prior Thor movies as Winter Soldier was from the first Captain America. We want to take it to new places, we’ve got new characters that will show how big we’re swinging on this. And we have a Hulk… The film takes place within the cosmos primarily, which is to say, frankly, very little Earth.”
Who is coming back?
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffelo), Lady Sif (Jamie Alexander), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are all going to be returning. However, there’s no word on if Heimdall (Idris Elba), the Warrior’s Three, Doctor Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Darcy (Kat Dennings) or Odin (Anthony Hopkins) will return.
Will there be any new characters?
Aside from the new female villain, we don’t know.
[UPDATE 12/10/15] The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed Cate Blanchett will be joining the film in an unspecified role. We’re guessing she’s going to be playing that villain role.
When will production begin?
Pre-production will begin in January 2016 and filming will begin in Australia in June 2016.
When will we know more?
There will most likely be a press release when the film goes into production giving us a basic plot synopsis. Until then, we’ll just have to rely on rumors and casting announcements.
When will the film be out?
November 3rd, 2017.
