Rumor: Cate Blanchett's 'Thor: Ragnarok' Character Revealed?

Last month, we learned that Cate Blanchett was in talks to join the cast of Thor: Ragnarok and there was much rejoicing. Any movie would be lucky to lure the phenomenally talented Blanchett into its cast, so the thought of her joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in some capacity is mind-boggling. This is "Robert Redford in Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "Tilda Swinton in Doctor Strange" level casting. We live in an age where our finest thespians have no problem taking a shift or two in comic book movies.

But who would Cate Blanchett be playing in the third Thor adventure, which is a buddy film starring the Odinson and the Hulk that will be directed by What We Do in the Shadows' Taika Waititi? A new report has hit the internet claiming to know the answer to that question and it sounds about right. Still, consider this a rumor until we hear something official.

According to the good folks at Geek.com, Cate Blanchett will portray Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death and one of Thor's classic comic book foes. With her magical, strength-enhancing cloak, an army of the dead, and the ability to destroy mortal foes and claim their souls with a single touch, she would make a pretty compelling adversary.

More importantly, this character would give Blanchett a chance to vamp around in that outfit and devour the scenery, Galadriel-style. Here are the specifics of the scoop:

Sources have confirmed with Geek.com that the big bad of Thor: Ragnarok will be Hela, the Marvel comic book character who is the ruler of Hel and the realm of Niflheim. Considering Ruffalo let slip that Blanchett will play a baddie, it's probably safe to assume that she'll assume the role of Hela. She'll be her normal comic book self, complete with her cloak and power over the dead souls of the Nine Realms. Hela will make it to Asgard, where she'll be in cahoots with Tom Hiddleston's Loki, current motives unknown.

But that's not all! The same report contains some very interesting speculation that suggests Hela (and therefore, Blanchett) will have a larger part to play in the larger MCU. After all, we've heard from other sources that Thor: Ragnarok will be the Winter Soldier of Marvel's phase three, shaking the foundations of the entire universe and forcing the other movies to react to some sweeping changes. Still, arm yourself with some healthy skepticism because this next part is still rumor at this point:

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. Though now that Cate Blanchett is likely Hela, who wouldn't want this to be true just to see Blanchett and Josh Brolin (who will be playing Thanos) repel dozens of Avengers?

That sounds crazy enough to work. And to be true. The MCU has been all about staying true to Marvel lore while simultaneously condensing characters and simplifying comic book storylines. That's a big change (and it may annoy some Infinity Gauntlet purists), but anything that gets Blanchett to spend more time hanging around the MCU sounds pretty good to us. Plus, who doesn't want to see Carol kick some Avenger ass?

Geek.com's report contains additional details, although you should consider them major spoilers and only read them if you're cool knowing some major stuff in advance. And we cannot emphasize this enough: none of this is confirmed in any way. But still, go have fun.

Then again, anything can change between now Thor: Ragnarok's November 3, 2017 release date.