When director Taika Waititi took on the God of Thunder in last year's Thor: Ragnarok, it became an unexpected gem of the MCU, delivering loads of laughs and a fresh sci-fi adventure. Along with really taking advantage of Chris Hemsworth's comedy chops, Ragnarok also introduced a handful of new supporting characters such as Valkyrie, Korg and Karl Urban's Skurge. During a panel at Dallas Fan Days of 2018, Urban explained just what drew him to play the Marvel character In his words:
I got a call from Taika [Waititi] saying 'Listen, I'm shooting this movie, there's great role in it. Have a look at it. I'll send you some concept art of the character.' Which looked rad, shaved head, armor. I read the script and saw that there was quite a fantastic arch for the character and I really responded to that. That he was really a survivalist, that he started his journey in one place and then had to do a deal with the devil and the cost of that was and then how he really came back at the end and ended up doing the right thing morally. Which was a fantastic little arc.
Skurge's story arc seems like it was handled with just as much care as the rest of Thor: Ragnarok, making it the fan favorite it has become. Karl Urban's character first appeared in the movie in the opening scene when he poorly held the fort over at the Bifrost in Asgard. When Hela took control of the realm, he sided with her as she grew her army, but finally came to his senses at the end and took a selfless turn. The character follows a handful of other new and interesting characters introduced in Ragnarok, which elevated the quality of the Thor franchise.
During Karl Urban's panel (via ComicBook.com), the actor also attributed his interest in the film because it gave him the oppurtunity to work with Cate Blanchett again. The pair both starred in The Lord of the Rings movies, but never shared scenes with one another. Ragnarok had the actors working side by side 15 years after their departure from Middle Earth. Urban also expressed his love for the Marvel Universe and deeply enjoyed his time as Skurge.
While Skurge didn't make it out of Ragnarok alive, after Avengers: Infinity War, neither did half of the universe's, so Skurge could potentially return depending on what happens in Avengers 4. Karl Urban would certainly be up to reprising the role and has even previously pitched an idea from the comic book character's lore. In the comic books, he continues to live on in the afterlife as a recruit in the Grandmaster's Legion of the Unliving.
Fans will have some answers as soon as Avengers 4 comes to theaters on May 3, 2019. The studio also seems to be halting any other Phase 4 movie announcements, such as if another Thor film will be made, until then as well.
