Skip to main content

A new international trailer for 'Thor: Ragnarok' features a familiar face

Thor: Ragnarok
Image used with permission by copyright holder
It is now expected that international cuts for movie trailers to contain footage that the U.S. versions don’t. When Star Wars: The Force Awakens had yet to be released, the international versions of its trailers and teasers became coveted by fans, giving them their first glimpses of locales, characters, and action scenes not seen in elsewhere. That tradition continues with the new Thor: Ragnarok Japanese trailer, which recently made its way onto the internet.

ソーが、ハルクやロキたちと「#アベンジャーズ」を結成⁉️

#マイティソー バトルロイヤル』<日本版本予告>が解禁⚡️

さらに!カンバーバッチ演じる「#ドクターストレンジ」の出演シーンも【世界初】解禁! https://t.co/GQInsTux6U pic.twitter.com/q3in15zPe0

— マーベル・スタジオ[公式] (@MarvelStudios_J) August 16, 2017

The extra footage shows up right in the opening seconds of the trailer, with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) being given a dire warning by Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Their partnership was first teased in the post-credits scene for Dr. Strangewhere Thor and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) come seeking Dr. Strange’s assistance in finding their missing father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Odin’s absence is the precipitating event that enables the villain of Thor: Ragnarok, the goddess Hela (Cate Blanchett), to overthrow Thor’s home, the city of Asgard.

Recommended Videos

Aside from the brief interaction between Thor and Strange, the footage in the Japanese trailer is largely taken from the previously released U.S. version. We get glimpses of Hela destroying Asgard, as well as plenty of shots of Thor and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) teaming up, which according to Ruffalo will be a major aspect of the film’s plot. Other characters like Loki, Heimdall (Idris Elba), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Jeff Goldblum’s eccentric Grandmaster also show up.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

It is worth noting that the jovial tone of the original U.S. trailer is intact in the Japanese version, a good indication that Thor: Ragnarok will ultimately share this lighter attitude. It also seems to gel with the direction Marvel Studios is heading within the broader Marvel cinematic universe’s “phase three.” The bright, colorful world established in Guardians of the Galaxy is bleeding into other series like Thor and next year’s Black Panther with sci-fi themes and practical effects prominently featured.

It will be interesting to see how much of that spirit is maintained by the time Avengers: Infinity War comes along. The death-obsessed villain, Thanos, is next up to bat against the Avengers and their allies. In the comics, Thanos was able to use the Infinity Gauntlet — a powerful artifact made with the six Infinity Gems — to literally destroy the universe in hopes of courting his love interest, the avatar of Death herself.

That ultimate showdown with Thanos is still a way off. Thor, however, will have plenty to contend with in the meantime when Thor: Ragnarok hit theaters on November 3.

Brendan Hesse
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brendan has written about a wide swath of topics, including music, fitness and nutrition, and pop culture, but tech was…
Marvel debuts the first poster and trailer for She-Hulk
Tatiana Maslany as She-Hulk.

Marvel fans, you're about to meet the woman of your dreams. She's about seven feet tall, green, and she can carry a car over her shoulder. And unlike her cousin, you'll like her when she's angry. Earlier today, Marvel Studios debuted the first trailer for the upcoming She-Hulk original series on Disney+, and with the trailer came a new title: She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.

The series features Orphan Black veteran Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters, a successful attorney who just happens to be the cousin of the Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). In the comics, Jennifer's life was in danger after someone tried to kill her. To save her, Bruce gave Jennifer an emergency blood transfusion that transformed her into She-Hulk. The trailer doesn't focus on how Jennifer becomes She-Hulk. Instead, it explores how she deals with her newfound powers and the complications they represent.

Read more
Gargantos invades New York in new Doctor Strange 2 preview
Doctor Strange looking determined in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Nothing has really gone right for Stephen Strange since Avengers: Infinity War. First, he was blipped for five years, then Strange was passed over for Sorcerer Supreme. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Strange cast a spell that went wildly out of control and nearly collapsed reality as we know it. As bad as that sounds, Strange is going to have an even harder time in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Not only does Strange have to contend with evil alternates of himself, he also has to face the might of Gargantos.

Gargantos is an other-dimensional being that may have once been one of the rulers of the Earth. He may even be considered an elder god. Time may have diminished Gargantos' grip on this reality, but he remains formidable even in his weakened state.

Read more
Doctor Strange 2 cast hails Sam Raimi’s vision in new video
Doctor Strange 2 cast hails Sam Raimi's vision in new video

Two decades ago, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man helped usher in the age of the modern comic book movie. In 2004, Spider-Man 2 garnered critical acclaim to go with its blockbuster success. However, Spider-Man 3 was left with mixed reviews, and Raimi showed little interest in returning for another superhero flick. Regardless, Raimi was lured back into the Marvel fold when he received an offer to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

"I got a call from my agent saying that Kevin Feige and the Marvel team were looking for a director for the new Doctor Strange movie,” said Raimi in a new featurette from the movie. “And I was a big fan of the first one — it was really intelligent and interesting. So, when that offer came in, I thought, ‘This would be a really good challenge.’”

Read more