Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban Join Marvel's 'Thor: Ragnarok'
Hulk and Thor (Disney)
By Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter
Goldblum will play Grandmaster, a cosmic being who plays chess with lesser lifeforms such as humans.
Jeff Goldblum and Karl Urban have joined Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, the third installment of the studio’s franchise featuring the Norse god.
In making the announcement, Marvel also revealed descriptions of many of the characters, most of which have been shrouded in secrecy.
Goldblum will play Grandmaster, a cosmic being who plays chess with lesser lifeforms such as humans. Urban will play Asgard warrior Skurge.
Karl Urban and Jeff Goldblum (Getty Images)
In what will surely have fans in a tizzy, for good or ill, is that Marvel revealed that Tessa Thompson will play the classic character Valkyrie. In the comics, the character is a blonde-haired blue-eyed warrior but the studio is taking a more diverse path for the movie.
Marvel already took a similar tack when it cast Idris Elba as Heimdall, the Asgardrian who guards the bridge from the mythical city to points beyond. Blanchett is playing Hela, the movie’s villain.
And the studio re-confirmed that Mark Ruffalo will appear as Marvel mainstay Bruce Banner/Hulk. Chris Hemsworth is back as Thor while Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins are also returning.
“The continuation of the epic Thor franchise will be powerful and unique, and with the additions of Cate, Jeff, Tessa, Karl, and Mark to the cast we have the makings of his most dangerous and heroic adventure yet,” enthused producer Kevin Feige in making the announcement. “The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can’t be quantified. Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honor, and having all of them is incredible.“
Chris Hemsworth is back as Thor while Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins are also returning.
Not mentioned in the announcement is that Jamie Alexander, who played the warrior Sif, will not be returning for the movie is actress. Sources say the actress had a schedule conflict with her television show, Blindspot.
Urban, who next appears in Star Trek Beyond, is repped by UTA and McKuin. Goldblum, who will be seen in this summer’s Independence Day Resurgence, is repped by ICM Partners, Industry Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.
