Jeff Goldblum And Karl Urban Join 'Thor: Ragnarok', Updated With Concept Art

Marvel and Disney have officially confirmed the cast of Thor: Ragnarok, which includes Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo. Read the full press release after the jump which confirms the Thor Ragnarok cast and also get a glimpse at new Thor: Ragnarok concept art.

Update: Marvel has also released the above piece of new Thor: Ragnarok concept art, which features our first look at Hela.

Jeff Goldblum joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Grandmaster, a character who first appeared in The Avengers #69. He is one of the ageless Elders of the Universe and has mastered most civilizations' games of skill and chance. He was not originally part of the comic book Ragnarok storyline.

It's great to see Goldblum returning to blockbusters again, with this and Independence Day: Resurgence. Knowing that he will now be part of the MCU makes me so happy.

Karl Urban (Dredd, Star Trek) has been cast as Skurge, also known as The Executioner. He is an Asgardian who was originally depicted as a supervillain and long-time antagonist of Thor, sporting a magic double-bladed battle axe. In the comics, Skurge fell in love with the Enchantress and was frequently used in schemes by her and the trickster god Loki. According to Wikipedia, the character eventually joined up with the heroes of Asgard in a mission to Hel, "where he sacrificed his axe to destroy Naglfar, the ship of the dead, and delay Ragnarok, and sacrificed his life to hold the bridge at Gjallerbru so the heroes could escape the forces of Hel."

The press release also confirms that Tessa Thompson will play Valkyrie, a classic Marvel superhero character who first appeared in The Avengers #83 (published December 1970) and has remained one of the core members of the Defenders.

I love that Marvel is now pushing the diversity of the characters on screen, and Thompson proved herself to be a great actress in Creed last year.

The press release also confirms that Cate Blanchett will be playing the film's mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, something that has been rumored for some time.

Jaime Alexander is not mentioned in the press release to return as Lady Sif but she has commented on Twitter:

Marvel Studios Confirms Stellar New Cast Members of the Highly Anticipated "Thor: Ragnarok"Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, & Mark Ruffalo join the illustrious cast!

Two-time Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett ("Blue Jasmine," "Carol, "Cinderella") joins Marvel Studios' "Thor: Ragnarok" as the mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, along with Jeff Goldblum (the upcoming "Independence Day: Resurgence," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "Jurassic Park") who joins the cast as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson ("Creed," "Selma") who will bring the classic hero Valkyrie to life on the big screen, and Karl Urban ("Star Trek" trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King") who will add his might to the fray as Skurge.

Rounding out the cast for the film is three-time Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo ("Spotlight," "The Kids Are All Right," "Foxcatcher"), reprising his role of Bruce Banner/the Hulk from "Marvel's The Avengers" and Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

"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," said Producer Kevin Feige. "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."

Thor's new cast members join returning stars Chris Hemsworth ("Rush," "In the Heart of the Sea," "Ghostbusters") in the title role for the fifth time; Tom Hiddleston ("Crimson Peak," "The Night Manager," "Kong: Skull Island") as Thor's adversarial, adopted brother, Loki; Golden Globe® and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Idris Elba ("The Dark Tower," "Luther," "Beasts of No Nation") as the Asgardian sentry, Heimdall; and Academy Award®-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins ("Silence of the Lambs," "Nixon," "Hitchcock") again portraying Odin, Ruler of Asgard.

"Thor: Ragnarok," the third installment of Marvel's popular Norse Super Hero, is directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Taika Waititi ("Two Cars, One Night," "What We Do in the Shadows," "Hunt for the Wilderpeople"). Kevin Feige will produce the film, joined by executive producers Louis D'Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee.