Last month, news got out that Carol actress Cate Blanchett was in talks to join Thor: Ragnarok. Since then, the actress has been cagey in interviews about whether she’s actually in the movie, but so far it’s looking more likely than not that she’ll be chilling around the Nine Realms. As for who she might/will play, that’s also still a mystery; but Mark Ruffalo, who is returning as Bruce Banner/The Hulk for the 2017 blockbuster, is under the impression she’ll be batting for the dark side.
Last Saturday at the BAFTA Awards Season Tea Party, Ruffalo seemingly confirmed to ET that Blanchett will be appearing in Thor: Ragnarok when he mentioned that he’s looking forward to her playing a villain. The actor said:
I'm so thrilled. I saw her at the Governors' banquet here and heard that maybe she was circling, they were talking to her about the part, so I ran up to her and I was like, 'Please, please, please make this work!' She's just one of the best, and to have her play a baddie is going to be really exciting.
Having Cate Blanchett play a villain in Thor: Ragnarok lines up with a report from November that the movie is looking for a big name actress to play the lead antagonist. Blanchett certainly qualifies as "big name," though it’s still unclear who this baddie will be. One possibility is the Thor’s alluring nemesis Enchantress, who has been antagonizing the God of Thunder since 1964 (and if she’s involved, then her lapdog Executioner probably won’t be far behind). Others believe it could be Hela, the ruler of Hel and Niffelheim. Although she didn’t confirm her possible participation, Blanchett did say last week that she’d love to be a part of Thor: Ragnarok so she could "get fit and punch people." Which, to be fair, are among the best reasons to join a superhero movie.
Given that Tom Hiddleston is also reportedly returning as Loki, having another villain, whether they’re played by Blanchett or someone else, is going to make Thor’s duties as defender of the Nine Realms much more difficult. Then, of course, there’s the event mentioned in the title: Ragnarok, a.k.a. the Norse apocalypse. While we know Thor still has a few more Marvel movies left in him, if Ragnarok comes to pass, his home and all of his people will be destroyed; he has to do everything in his power to avert it. While Thor will have help from his Avengers teammate Hulk, the Lady Sif and others, this is without a doubt going to be his most perilous solo adventure yet.
Directed by Taika Waititi and written by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, Thor: Ragnarok flies into theaters on November 3, 2017.
