Marvel has been known to draw in some huge star power in the past. Robert Redford, Benicio Del Toro, and Michael Douglas were all unexpected names that have been a part of the MCU in Phase 2. Phase 3 will see Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Doctor Strange. We pretty much know what their roles are, but Cate Blanchett‘s role in Thor: Ragnarok has yet to be revealed.

The Oscar-winning actress joined the cast of the film just last month, but details on her character were kept under wraps. The film has been described as a buddy movie that will have the titular Thor join Hulk on a cosmic journey that will take audiences through the nine realms. But that still didn’t answer where Blanchett fits into all of this.

Well, there is a new rumor floating around that says Blanchett will play a villain in the film. But will she be a huge problem for Thor and Hulk, or does she serve a greater purpose in the MCU. Check out what the rumors have to say below.

Geek.com was the first to spring the rumor, and we will treat is as such until we get a confirmation from the studio. According to them, Blanchett will portray Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death. Here’s a closer look at the character.

Aside from the usual god-like strength, speed, stamina, agility and durability, Hela possesses a magical cloak, which she wears all the time, that grants her the ability to stay young and healthy. She can also kill any human with a single touch using a power some have called the “touch of death,” and has the power to kill any Asgardian god with one punch using a technique called Hand of Glory.

There has been very little information on the plot of Ragnarok, but as the subtitle suggests, there will be an apocalyptic-type event. While there is no question that Asgard will experience a great cataclysm, what brings Thor and Hulk to go on a cosmic journey is not known. But the site provides some information on how Hela will force the titular hero to go on this great journey.

In Thor: Ragnarök, Hela and Loki will have set their plan well in motion by the time Thor gets wise to what’s going on. Hela ends up creating the incident to Thor’s journey in the film. According to our sources, when Thor confronts Hela, things do not go well. Not only does she banish Thor from Asgard, but she destroys Mjolnir!

We’ve seen in the past that Thor has made some questionable decisions, often times going against the word of his father Odin. Now that Loki is masquerading as Odin, he is in a much better position to oust his step brother from Asgard than he was in the first Thor. So it makes a bit of sense if the story does go in this direction. Assuming that the rumor is true.

Now here is where it gets interesting and how Hela could be a part of something bigger. Once again, this is just a rumor, so take it with a grain of salt:

There has been speculation that the character of Hela could replace the physical embodiment of Death that Mad Titan Thanos falls in love with when he obtains the Infinity Gauntlet in the comic books on which the Avengers: Infinity War movies are loosely based. The general thought is that having a character representing Death suddenly appear in a big Avengers movie would be more confusing to audiences than a character they already know represents Death from a previous movie.

Let’s assume that there is some truth to this. It could change the way we see the MCU. For one thing Death and Hela are two separate beings, despite having the same powers. To avoid confusion, it would make more sense to have one character be the embodiment of Death as opposed to two.

So if these rumors are true, what is Hulk’s role in all of this. How does a man/monster who does not want to be found get himself in the middle of going on a cosmic journey with his fellow Avenger? We’ll just have to keep you updated as the story develops.

With all the dark themes in the film, it’s easy to see why Chris Hemsworth may want Thor: Ragnarok-director Taika Waititi to lighten things up with a little humor.

Marvel Studios will release the film on November 3, 2017.

[Source: Geek.com]