Ever since filmmaker Taika Waititi was announced as the director of “Thor: Ragnarok,” Marvel fans have been eager to see what the director of “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” would do with the God of Thunder. On Monday morning they found out when Marvel dropped the sizzling hot new trailer for the film, and the response was what amounts to universal celebratory gasping. Set against Led Zeppelin’s thunderous “Immigrant Song” and full of imagery straight out of the comics, the new spot clues us in where Thor and what he has been up to — here is what we learned.
1. Thor is a prisoner
The trailer opens with the God of Thunder hanging in chains ready to fall into a lava pit. Thor addresses the audience, “I know what you’re thinking… how did this happen?”
2. Cate Blanchett’s Hela
Seems like Marvel has finally gotten around to addressing it’s villain problem as multiple Oscar winner Cate Blanchett enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Hela.
3. Mjolnir destroyed
Hela firmly grasps Thor’s hammer Mjolnir and proceeds to crush it with ease in her hands! In the comics, Mjolnir has been destroyed more than once and each time, Thor’s hammer always come back together when most necessary.
4. Asgard is dead!
Hela not only destroys Mjolnir but also unleashes her wrath against the world of Asgard.
5. Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie
The trailer features the first look at Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie as she drags the God of Thunder off in a net after the fall of Asgard.
6. Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster
The trailer also gives us the first look at Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster, one of the elders of the Marvel Cinematic Universe known for spending eternity indulging their obsessions. (The Collector, played by Benicio Del Toro in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” is also an Elder.) The Grandmaster is a cosmic game player whose favorite game is forcing two opposing teams to fight.
7. Idris Elba returns as Heimdall
Elba returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and we get to see Heimdall out of his armor engaged in a fight sequence outside of Asgard. Is he looking for Thor?
8. Loki returns
You can’t have a Thor movie without Tom Hiddelston’s Loki who sports a new headpiece lifted straight from the comics that allows Loki’s long, black hair to flow freely from his head.
9. Gladiator Hulk
After years of rumors, we finally get to see the Gladiator Hulk for the first time in his glorious gladiator armor lifted straight from the pages of the “Planet Hulk” storyline.
10. Skurge
A hot easter egg in the trailer hardcore fanboys will recognize features Skurge the Executioner, played here by Karl Urban. The shot directly references the character’s most iconic moment, which comes at the conclusion of one of the more memorable stories in writer-artist Walt Simonson’s run on “Thor,” which is widely considered to be the greatest Thor run ever.
10. Jack Kirby Homage
The trailer also gives a nod to Marvel legend Jack Kirby and features one of the Celestial’s – Arishem the Judge. The Celestials, created by Kirby in 1976, are almighty beings who seed life throughout the galaxy. You’ll also notice the background art that also draws heavily from Kirby’s flamboyant visual style.
11. Thor vs Gladiator Hulk in the arena
The moneyshot of the trailer teases the epic gladiator style fight between Avengers Thor and Hulk. Who wins? We will find out this November.
If you like this trailer, check out 14 Biggest Superhero Movies Opening in 2017, From ‘Power Rangers’ to ‘Wonder Woman’ (Photos)
