Marvel has made smart use of experienced, award-winning actors in both its core ensemble and some smaller roles, such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Robert Redford. But this could potentially be their biggest yet if the deal lands. Cate Blanchett is in talks to join Thor: Ragnarok.
Variety’s report offers no details on who she might potentially play (though rumours have talked up characters such as Marvel’s Valkyrie and an unnamed female villain, and we could see the Oscar-winning Blanchett fitting in nicely for either of those) and of course the studio has yet to make any official announcement, so it’s far from a sure thing at this point. Still, Cate Blanchett sharing the screen with Chris Hemsworth’s hero Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki? That’s a big yes please from us.
What We Do In The Shadows’ Taika Waititi is directing leading to thoughts that despite the apocalyptic promise of the "Ragnarok" in the title, this will still have some light-hearted balancing elements as Hulk and Thor take a trip to investigate a huge new cosmic problem. Stephany Folsom most recently re-wrote the script for the film, which will kick off shooting next June ready for an October 27, 2017 release date.
Blanchett is on our screens now in the much-praised Carol and will next be seen (opposite Redford, coincidentally – wonder if he put a good word in for Team Marvel?) in Truth, landing March 4.