Promises of the most epic Marvel film to date, a cast that is possibly the best that the MCU has had to offer, and its the last film before the Avengers tackle the villain that has been built up since the start of the MCU. No pressure then. Sure, the first two Thor films whilst being good were nothing special, "Ragnarok" should change all that. Kevin Feige has made it clear that Marvel were going all out with the film; this being further evidenced by the casting - Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Sam Neill, Benedict Cumberbatch and Karl Urban all join Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba and the rest.
There's enough acting talent in this film that surely, we hope, it can't be a letdown, especially when you consider Cate Blanchett has been expertly cast as the villainous Hela.
The hype surrounding Hela has been huge, just look at the cover photo of this article without getting chills. It seems she may well be the villain Marvel needs after so many missed attempts. There's even talk of her becoming the MCU version of death, who Thanos' "Infinity War" rampage is trying to impress (at least in the comics). It all sounds very epic.
The end of all things
"Ragnarok" is the end of all things, at least in the comics. With Hela comes "Ragnarok", and an array of monsters, including the much clamoured for fire-lord Surtur.
A gigantic beast of fire from another realm, Asgard is probably going to be left in the dust. Fenris Wolf and Skurge also play roles that will test Asgard, whilst Jeff Goldblum enters proceedings as the Grandmaster, pitting Thor against Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk in a galactic buddy road-trip mirroring the "Planet Hulk" storyline.
Odin meanwhile has been banished to Earth, with Thor seeking out Dr. Strange for help as seen in a post-credits scene. This recipe is huge, and we may even see the end of all Asgardians (if only to be brought back in "Infinity War(s)" films). Yes, Thor may die, but it will not be a permanent death.
What of Thanos?
We've come all this way talking about the film, with no Thanos shout-out.
James Gunn (director of "Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2") has confirmed that there will be no Infinity Stones in that film. Which leaves "Ragnarok" for the soul gem to pop up in. There's every chance that Asgard defeats Hela in some form, just for Thanos to sweep into the final 15 minutes of the movie and completely wipe the floor with everyone. If the all-seeing Heimdall does in fact, have the soul gem, he probably will die protecting it from Thanos; what an epic ending that may well be.
What's for sure, is that "Thor: Ragnarok" is one of the biggest movies of 2017, and the hype will only intensify as we creep toward release.
