While fans impatiently await the trailer for Marvel’sThor: Ragnarok, this week’s print edition of Entertainment Weekly gives fans their first look at Thor (Chris Hemsworth) with his new look, along withHela(Cate Blanchett) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson). We also have new details fromChris Hemsworth, producer and Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigeand directorTaika Waititi, who offer new insight into the story. What mostThorfans will notice right away in the photo, is thatThor’s flowing blond locks have been shaved off.
Marvel fans got their first glimpse at thisAsgardian warriorin 2011’sThor, before he returned to team up with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the 2012 blockbusterThe Avengers. He returned in 2013’sThor: The Dark Worldand 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron, and in all four of those movies, Thor always had the long blonde hair most had come to expect from this iconic character. While the details behind whyThorgets a huge makeover haven’t been revealed,Chris Hemsworthexplained toEntertainment Weeklythat he was definitely grateful for this new do.
“It was nice not to have to sit in the makeup chair for that hour each morning. It felt like a rebirth for me as the actor but also as the character.”
It was confirmed in December thatThorwill be visiting the iconic planet of Sakaar from thePlanet Hulkcomics, after he gets banished from Asgaard by his villainous brother Loki, who has teamed up with new villain Hela. Thor ends up on the planet of Sakaar, which is where he finds Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), who has reinvented himself as a gladiator. Both Thor and Hulk are reportedly forced to square off in battle, but it has also been widely reported that they end up going on a “cosmic road trip” together. Here’s what producerKevin Feigehad to say about keeping the story fresh for this third installment of the Thor franchise.
“I have a belief that if you’re lucky enough to get to part 3 of a franchise, it is your obligation not to fall to threequel-itis.”
Another surprising element of this cover photo is thatChris Hemsworth’s Thor is not holding his iconic hammer Mjolnir, but rather two large swords. This could serve as confirmation of a rumor that Hela destroyed Thor’s hammer before banishing him from Asgard, but that hasn’t been confirmed. The site also caught up withCate Blanchett, who revealed that Hela was accidentally unleashed from a prison. Here’s what the Oscar-winning actress had to say about her new character below.
“She’s been locked away for millennia getting more and more cross, and then, with a mistake, she gets unleashed and she ain’t getting back in that box.”
The actress also revealed that she trained with iconic stuntwomanZoe Bellto play Hela, and she also learned capoeira, a Brazilian martial art discipline, to prepare for the role. Fans had long been waiting for a big-screen adaptation of thePlanet Hulkcomics, and while it seems a straight-up adaptation isn’t in the cards,Thor: Ragnarokwill be the closest fans will get, incorporating a number of elements from that comic, including the planet of Sakaar, which is located near a wormhole in the comics and becomes a planet that houses refugees from other dimensions, and one that plays host to gladiator games, which Thor is forced to compete in. Here’s whatChris Hemsworthhad to say about Sakaar below, while also discussing how directorTaika Waititibrings a comedic blend to the story.
“Sakaar is basically where every wormhole across the universe dumps out its trash, so you get people from all walks of life with all sorts of incredible abilities and powers. No one cares what prince or king Thor may have been in another world. Also, his strength is pretty easily matched with those he finds himself amongst.Taikahas such a quirky, left-of-field sense of humor, which forced all the characters and the tone of the whole story to head in a new direction. Each day we were like, ‘Are we pushing it too far? Are we allowed to have this much fun?'”
There were previous reports that the original script byChristopher YostandCraig Kylewas the darkest story ever tackled by Marvel, which is reportedly whyTaika Waititi, best known for quirky comedies such asWhat We Do In the ShadowsandThe Hunt For the Wilderpeople, was brought on. While it remains to be seen when we’ll get to see the first footage,Taika Waititimade it clear that this newThormovie will not be a broad comedy. Here’s what the director had to say below.
“I think sometimes people mistake a tonal shift as ‘We’re just going to make some ridiculous broad comedy where no one gives a s- what happens and everyone gets stoned and sits around talking about saving the universe,’ We want people to care what happens and care that the hero succeeds. I think tonally it’s like a slight shift. I don’t feel nervous. I feel good about it.”
The cast ofThor: Ragnarokalso includesKarl Urbanas Skurge},Jeff Goldblumas The Grandmaster,Idris Elbaas Heimdall andAnthony Hopkinsas Odin. It was also recently confirmed thatBenedict Cumberbatchwill return asDoctor Strange, which makes sense since theDoctor Strangepost-credit scene tied intoThor: Ragnarok, with Thor coming to Stephen Strange seeking help in finding his father. Take a look at the new EW cover forThor: Ragnarok, as we get ready for the November 3 release.
