It’s been four years since the last Thor movie, and it looks like the wait definitely resulted in a interesting and tonally unique movie. However, the Taika Waititi-directed film has another potential surprise on the way: actor Matt Damon (The Martian) may just play a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The nature of Damon’s role seems very meta but also somewhat confusing. Supposedly, he will act as an Asgardian performer, who then dons the mantle of the chaotic Marvel character Loki in a play.
As the third installation in the Thor series, the movie will feature returning MCU actors such as Chris Hemsworth (Rush), Tom Hiddleston (War Horse), Idris Elba (The Dark Tower), Mark Ruffalo (Now You See Me), Jaimie Alexander (Blindspot), and Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs). Sadly, actress Natalie Portman (Black Swan) who played scientist Jane Foster will not be returning to the franchise.
It will also present a talented list of newcomers to the franchise, such as Tessa Thompson (Creed), Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption), Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness), and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park).
While it looks like the film has a jam-packed cast, it seems to be nothing new in the later phases of the MCU. In fact, the extensive list of roles for the first Avengers: Infinity War led to an environment in which thirty-two cast members were filming a scene at a time. It looks like this Thor film will be a test run to see if Marvel can handle such a large cast (one which they arguably failed in Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron).
Thor: Ragnarok will reach theaters on November 2, 2017.