The Marvel Cinematic Universe has proven to be quite expansive as it has taken audiences to unheard of realms and unseen galaxies. That has always been what makes the MCU so much fun. Each and very film fits into its own genre while also being a part of a larger superhero universe. So we will get another taste of that in Thor: Ragnarok. A new set of images for the upcoming film has been released giving us our first look at what is to come with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) now having to fight in the gladiator arena while Hela (Cate Blanchett) devises a nefarious plan that could kill all life. We are also getting our first look at Tessa Thompson‘s Valkyrie as well as Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster.

Check out the image gallery here below.

EW was the first to premiere these images for an upcoming cover story for an issue that is expected to hit newsstands this week. In it, we see that Thor has a haircut and has trimmed out his facial hair and is now sporting two swords. As to what happened to his trusty hammer Mjolnir, that is unclear. But maybe his new weaponry has to do something with him being sent to a new gladiator planet called Saakar during a bout with Hela. It is on this planet that he is forced to become a gladiator and team up with the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

Though it is still not clear how Hulk ended up on Sakaar. But there is also an image of Ruffalo as Bruce Banner in what looks like civilian clothing, clutching Thor with happiness. Not exactly sure what is going on here, but I wonder what their reaction would be when they have to fight each other.

It’s also not clear how Valkyre also ended up here. However, EW says that she will become Thor’s most trusted ally in the film. Based on the images below it remains to be seen how that rapport is established. But what is most interesting is that the Loki (Tom Hiddleston) image sees the god of mischief presumably mingling with the upper class audience of Sakaar. As you can see, he is clearly enjoying what he sees as he sips a high end blue martini-like drink.

As for Hela, well, she isn’t happy that she has been locked away for a millenia, and when she is accidentally set free, she has no intentions of going back. So it should be interesting to see how she gets to Earth.

Finally, there’s the granddaddy of them all, Goldblum as the Grandmaster. As the one who plans all of Sakaar’s matches, he’s the one who will test Thor’s might.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

Directed by Takia Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok arrives on November 3, 2017.

Image Gallery

[Source: EW]