THOR: RAGNAROK rocked Marvel fans with the Odinson in massive matchups against the Hulk, Hela and Surtur. Director Taika Waititi and the writers packed the third Thor solo film with Easter eggs, cameos and what might be the most important post-credits scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
THOR: RAGNAROK took elements from the Ragnarok legend, Planet Hulk and Contest of Champions. The cliffhanger sets up the cosmic showdown coming in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and beyond in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here’s our favorite surprises and what could happen to the Odinson next:
Before we continue here’s a SPOILER WARNING!
If you have not seen THOR: RAGNAROK yet stop reading now.
Seriously.
Here it comes:
Let’s start with the ending!
Asgard destroyed.
Thor, Loki, Heimdall, Valkyrie along with Bruce Banner led the surviving Asgardians in a spaceship heading for Earth. The mid-credits scene cut to the bridge of the spaceship when another vessel overtakes them. This much bigger mystery ship is…
Sanctuary II according Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told The Wrap. This is the flagship of Thanos, the super villain first introduced in THE AVENGERS. Josh Brolin will reprise his role as The Mad God of Titan in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. The showdown has been building over the MCU films. The original Sanctuary was a strange planet in THE AVENGERS where Thanos sat on a throne directing the Chitauri and Loki’s invasion of Earth. The mystery ship could be manned by the Mad God himself or his enforcers The Black Order. Thanos is out to seize the Infinity Gauntlet and the six Infinity gems, the ultimate weapon.
Infinity Fake?
Fans first saw the Infinity Gauntlet in Odin’s vault in THOR. The Infinity gems have appeared in THOR: THE DARK WORLD, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and DOCTOR STRANGE. Hela and Skurge tour Odin’s vault and she spots the Gauntlet and calls it fake. Where is the sixth and final Infinity Gem?
Thor: The Dark World – The Play?
After fighting Surtur the Fire Demon, Thor returns to Asgard to find Odin and the Asgardians enjoying a theatrical production of the fateful showdown from the second Thor film. Matt Damon is playing Loki, the “hero” of this version with Luke Hemsworth (brother of Chris) as the Odinson and Sam Neill as Odin. In the Hollywood tradition of actors from a DC and Marvel franchise starring in rival’s franchise – I guess this means Damon and Neill could be talking with DC?
Past Champions?
On Sakaar, the Hulk is the reigning champion of the Grandmaster’s contests but there’s a massive tower with some famous faces that could be previous Champions. The alien version of Mount Rushmore includes Beta Ray Bill is an alien with a horse-face. The Korbonite was the only non-Asgardian deemed worthy to hold Mjolnir and was later given his own hammer, the Stormbreaker.
The Warbound
In PLANET HULK, Hulk (called the Green Scar) leads a revolution on Sakaar with his fellow gladiators called the Warbound. In the new film fans do see Korg, a rock-like alien and a bug-like alien named Miek. Korg and Miek join Loki in the fight on Asgard and accompany Odin’s sons on the ship headed to Earth.
Valkyrie?
We never learn her real name. Tessa Thompson is the last of the Valkyrie working as a “scrapper” on Sakaar when Thor meets her. The Valkyrie are warrior women of Odin known as “choosers of the slain” who take dead warriors to Valhalla – heaven in Norse mythology. In a flashback we learn the Valkyrior died in combat with Hela. This film version of Valkyrie is different from her comic book counterpart but do we see the comic book Valkyrie? The comic book Val is a blonde-haired warrior woman who joined the Defenders and Secret Avengers. With Jane Foster and Lady Sif MIA, could Thor and Valkyrie (Thompson) fall in love and Infinity War? Will she revive her warrior sisters?
What’s next?
Asgard + Midgard? Thor is steering the ship of exiled Asgardians to Earth. In the Avengers Disassembled comic event Ragnarok left Asgard destroyed and Thor the only survivor. Thor learned the Asgardians were secretly living in the bodies of humans across the planet. The Odinson eventually freed his brothers and sisters and even resurrected Asgard…above Oklahoma. During this comics era Loki took the body of a woman. In INFINITY WAR and beyond, could Loki be recast with an actress? Could Asgard hover over Earth?
No hammer, no Warrior Three, no Lady Sif, no Jane, no Asgard, no Odin – Thor and Loki are into the unknown with loyal Heimdall, Bruce Banner, Valkyrie, Korg and Miek to battle the forces of Thanos and perhaps create a new future on Earth.
By Editor