Marvel’s cinematic universe might be adding yet another Oscar winner, as two-time Academy Award recipient Cate Blanchett is now rumored to be a contender for one of the lead roles in Thor: Ragnarok.
The identity of the character Blanchett would play in the film is a mystery, according to Variety, as very little is known about the plot of the film at this point. Early speculation suggests she might play one of the major villains in Thor’s rogues gallery, such as The Enchantress.
Set to be directed by Taika Waiti (What We Do In The Shadows, The In Betweeners), Thor: Ragnarok will be the third solo film for Marvel’s god of thunder. If Blanchett does indeed join the cast, she’ll have a featured role with franchise star Chris Hemsworth, as well as returning Marvel movie-verse actors Tom Hiddleston (as the trickster god Loki) and Mark Ruffalo (as Hulk). Ruffalo’s Hulk was recently confirmed to play a significant role in Ragnarok.
No stranger to genre films, Blanchett appeared in both the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises, as well as 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. She won Academy Awards for her roles in 2005’s The Aviator and 2014’s Blue Jasmine, and is in the Oscar conversation again for her performance in this year’s Carol.
While precious little is known about the direction Ragnarok will take Thor and his allies, the conclusion of the previous Thor solo film left things in a precarious place with [SPOILER ALERT] Loki revealing that he’d taken the throne of Asgard while disguised as his adoptive father, Odin (played by Anthony Hopkins). Unconfirmed reports have suggested that much of the film will take place on a distant planet that is neither Asgard nor Earth.
Screenwriter Stephany Folsom penned the most recent draft of the screenplay for Thor: Ragnarok, after taking over writing duties from frequent Marvel animated series writers Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost.
Thor: Ragnarok is scheduled to hit theaters November 3, 2017.
