If what we’ve seen so far is any indication, Thor: Ragnarok will be a game-changer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s got a unique style and energy that differentiate it from all previous MCU installments, and it looks poised to right the ship of the troubled Thor sub-franchise.
The film’s fantastic cast and great-looking characters are the things everyone’s most hyped about. But who are Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, and Jeff Goldblum playing exactly? Here’s what’s up…
Cate Blanchett as Hela
Cate Blanchett proved she could be uber-creepy in The Lord of the Rings and an over-the-top villain in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. So, it’s not surprising that Marvel cast her in Thor: Ragnarok as Hela. Who’s Hela? The Asgardian Goddess of Death who was imprisoned for millennia, but now she’s free and wreaking all sorts of havoc, including banishing Thor to the world of Sakaar.
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson, familiar to all of you Westworld fans as Charlotte, plays Valkyrie. Valkyrie is originally from Asgard, but when we see her in Thor: Ragnarok she’s working with Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster character (more on him later) on the world of Sakaar. We don’t yet know how closely her character will be to Valkyrie in the Marvel comics, but we do know that she’ll be wielding her legendary sword, Dragonfang.
Karl Urban as Skurge
Karl Urban, of Star Trek fame, is looking particularly boss as Skurge. In the comics, he’s known as Executioner and is one of Asgard’s greatest warriors. He’s often allied with the villain Amora, the Enchantress, but in Thor: Ragnarok he’s all about Team Hela. He’s also REALLY big in the comics, like, over 7-feet tall and 1000+ lbs. — his father was a Frost Giant. We don’t think Karl Urban’s bulked up quite that much, but we like what we’re seeing.
Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster
The legendary Jeff Goldblum makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as the Grandmaster. He’s a cosmic being who is fascinated with gaming who enjoys manipulating lesser life-forms. He’s a little like Benicio del Toro’s Collector, except the Grandmaster collects people and makes them fight each other. Case in point? Thor and Hulk. Goldblum says his character is “a hedonist, a pleasure-seeker, an enjoyer of life.” He also said that director Taika Waititi encouraged him to improvise while filming. And we’re hoping he goes full Goldblum!
