by: S. Scott Stanikmas – Senior Staff Writer

Marvel’s next Thor film, subtitled Ragnarok, might be bringing an end to the Thunder God’s world (as Ragnarok is the Twilight of the Gods and the end/rebirth of Asgard) but it’s doing so with with an impressive cast. You’ve got returning favorites Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jaimie Alexander as Thor, Loki and Sif respectively. We’ve also got some first time appearances as we’ll see Mark Ruffalo bring the Jade Giant known as the Hulk and Cate Blanchett as an undisclosed character.

And just recently it was found out that there would be an up and coming actress joining the cast…but a fan favorite (and integral character to the Thor mythology) won’t be returning.

First the good news – Tessa Thompson has joined the cast of Thor: Ragnarok according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actress broke out last year in the critically acclaimed Creed. Its nice to see her follow up film just as big.

But with the good comes the bad – Dr. Jane Foster will not be returning. Natalie Portman will not be back to reprise the role of the good doctor and main love interest of the Son of Odin. Portman joins Stellan Skarsgard, who portrays Dr. Erik Selvig as another person from the first two films not coming back.

It’s unknown who Thompson will be playing but THR is speculating that her character may take over for Portman as the female lead in the film.

Director Taika Waititi has been brought on board to possibly lighten the mood for this film, which has been described as a “buddy action-comedy” by a few sources (namely Ruffalo himself). And after what looks to be a rather dark and serious turn for their Earth-based movies this may be just what is needed (especially if it leads to the end of Asgard).

We’ll find out more as production gets further underway in the coming months, but most likely not too much for some time as Thor: Ragnarok is slated for release November 3, 2017.