Marvel has done it again, folks. The first footage for Thor: Ragnarok officially dropped online this morning, and it quickly stood out as one of the best trailers of the year. There's humor, there's action and there's a distinctive and stylish sensibility that's not often seen in a run of the mill comic book movie. Alan Taylor's Thor: The Dark World was admittedly a bit of a dud, but Taika Waititi has dusted The God of Thunder off in grand fashion.
However, if you have watched the trailer for Thor: Ragnarok, then you likely already know that it raises more questions than it answers. Taika Waititi has clearly crafted one of the coolest Marvel movies to date, but the first preview for the latest Thor movie does not give much away. We've combed through the frames of this trailer and picked out eight burning questions that we have now that the first footage from the film has hit the web. We have some major topics to tackle, so let's get started with one of the most fundamental questions: where the hell is Thor's father?
Where Is Odin?
Thor's father (Anthony Hopkins) has played an instrumental role in both installments of the Thor franchise to date, and the reveal that Loki had somehow managed to dethrone him at the end of Thor: The Dark World was a perfect cliffhanger. However, we do not really know how Odin will factor into the events of Ragnarok yet. Set photos from Thor: Ragnarok leaked in August 2016 showing the original Odin on an Earth street corner (and dressed like a homeless person), so our general assumption is that he will play a significant role in the resolution of the story and the victory over Hela. How that victory will specifically be achieved at the climax of the film remains to be seen.
How Does Doctor Strange Factor Into The Story?
We've known for quite some time that Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange would make an appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, but we have yet to receive any definitive confirmation as to how the titular hero of Doctor Strange will factor into the narrative of the third Thor film. All we know is that skill with the Time Stone will help Thor better understand what happened between Loki and Odin at the end of The Dark World. Beyond that, Strange's relevance to the overarching narrative remains a mystery. Strange and Thor seemed to get along quite well in Doctor Strange's mid-credits scene (how could you not over infinite, magical beer?), so let's hope this is the first of many collaborations.
Is Mjolnir Gone Forever?
One of the tensest moments in the entire trailer comes when Hela (Cate Blanchett) shows just how strong she truly is. Catching Thor's trusty hammer in midair, she proceeds to shatter it as if it was not one of the most powerful weapons in the known universe. It is now clear that Thor will have to spend the bulk of Thor: Ragnarok without Mjolnir at his side (relying instead on whatever weapons and armor he can find as he goes) but that raises questions about the future of the weapon itself. Is Mjolnir gone forever, or will Thor find a way to repair it by the time he and Hulk return to Earth for their ultimate battle against Thanos?
What Happened To Heimdall?
Don't get us wrong; we love the fact that Idris Elba's Heimdall has decided to rock the Huntsman look in Thor: Ragnarok (although we thought that was Chris Hemsworth's job), but the substantial alteration to his distinctive appearance (as well as the bizarre woodland location) raise some major questions. It seems highly likely that Heimdall (like Thor) found himself scattered somewhere in the Nine Realms after Hela's attack on Asgard, but his final destination remains a complete mystery. It does not look like he is on Sakaar with Thor and The Incredible Hulk, so one of the major subplots of the film may ultimately revolve around Heimdall's journey back to his homeworld as one of its fiercest defenders.
Where Are Lady Sif And The Warriors Three?
Like Odin, Lady Sif and The Warriors Three have played a massive role in the Thor franchise since the first movie's release in 2011 by providing some of the funniest and most badass moments along the way. However, none of Thor's closest allies are anywhere to be found in the first trailer for Thor: Ragnarok. This raises some legitimate concerns over whether or not they're involved in the plot of the film at all. Does Hela kill them when she lays siege to Asgard? Are they simply off world going on their own adventures? The truth remains to be seen, but it is admittedly odd to not see Thor's loyal friends out searching for him in the cosmos.
What's Loki Up To?
Ever the enigmatic character, Loki's (Tom Hiddleston) genuine motivations during Ragnarok remain fairly mysterious at this point. Although he clearly had malicious intent when he dethroned his father in The Dark World, the Marvel Cinematic Universe also seems to have been setting him up for a redemptive arc. None of this confusion is helped by the fact that Loki seems to be cozying up to The Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) while his brother fights down in the Sakaar gladiator pit -- as well as the fact that Loki is apparently involved in a major skirmish on Asgard at some point. Loki's endgame is a complete mystery to us right now, and we desperately want to know what he's up to.
Why Is Hulk Attacking Thor?
Ever since the events of 2008's The Incredible Hulk, we have watched Bruce Banner slowly but surely gain control over his big and angry side. He certainly has been known to lose it now and then (hence his decision to leave Earth), but it is clear that Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) recognizes people when he is smashing his way through bad guys. On that note, the not so jolly green giant should remember his "work" buddy when he sees him in the arena. Is Hulk merely putting on a show so they can escape? That would seem to be the most logical explanation for why we have to once again watch heroes fight each other, but we need a definitive answer.
Will We See Any Infinity Stones?
Thor: Ragnarok will be the last large-scale Marvel movie before the events of Infinity War, which means that it seems like an ideal time to reveal that final Infinity Stone before Thanos (Josh Brolin) completes his fabled Infinity Gauntlet. With five of the six Stones established within the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe, we still need to see a film determine the presence of the Soul Stone. Spider-Man: Homecoming and Black Panther don't seem like ideal films to establish something as cosmic and fantastical as another Infinity Stone, so it would certainly make plenty of sense for Ragnarok to round out the lineup and leave us with the last piece of the puzzle before the battle with Thanos.
Thor: Ragnarok will make its grand theatrical debut later this year on November 3. Let us know any questions you still have about this new trailer in the comments section below!
