It’s been four years since the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) starred in a standalone film and he made his last big screen appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron two years ago. His absence from the Captain America: Civil War team-up has been explained via a couple of amusing YouTube videos. But Thor’s Australian vacation has ended and he’s returned to Asgard where he’s needed — and the teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnarok shows just how much.
A new villain named Hela (Cate Blanchett) is menacing Asgard, threatening Ragnarok: the destruction of Thor’s homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization. However, Thor’s ability to stop this apocalyptic destruction is hampered by his unexpected imprisonment. He is captured by a rogue alien species and taken to another planet, where his hair is shorn and he’s indentured to be a gladiator. Things appear to be looking up when his opponent enters the ring and turns out be Hulk… unfortunately, the Big Green Monster doesn’t recognize his old pal.
Set to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” this first teaser reveals a lot about the November release. They briefly extend Thor’s fourth-wall-breaking narration at the start, acknowledging things don’t appear to be going his way and there’s no easy explanation of why. Beginning with an incapacitated Thor dangling in a cave from heavy chains, the scene is followed by the unbelievable obliteration of his hammer, Mjolnir, a devastating citywide attack and Thor’s pivotal capture. But it’s not all fire and brimstone. The scene in the gladiator arena where Thor shocks onlookers by being happy to see his challenger is quite funny: “YES!… We know each other,” he explains with a smile. “He’s a friend from work.” Hulk’s scowl, on the other hand, indicates the feeling is not mutual. And while there’s still no sign of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Heimdall (Idris Elba) are looking pretty badass… though the context of their involvement remains unknown.
