Thor: Ragnarok: Cate Blanchett in talks for possible villain role

The Oscar-winner may finally be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Variety has reported that Cate Blanchett is currently in talks for a lead role in Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, the third film centered on the Asgardian-turned-Avenger. 

What We Do in the Shadows' Taika Waititi will be directing; Chris Hemsworth will obviously be returning to the role of Thor, with Mark Ruffalo's Hulk and Tom Hiddleston's Loki also confirmed.

Though it may seem like an odd turn for the thespian, having just been landed with a Golden Globe nomination for Todd Haynes' magnificent Carol; Blanchett's not exactly a stranger to blockbuster fare. She's appeared throughout both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, as well as turning in a rather deliciously evil turn in Disney's live-action Cinderella adaptation, released earlier this year. 

There's no word yet on which role she's actually circling around, as current rumours seem to suggest two major female characters will be introduced in Ragnarok. The first is Asgardian warrior Valkyrie, leader of the group tasked with bringing worthy warriors to Valhalla. You know, the place all those people in Mad Max: Fury Road kept screaming about. The second is villain Amora the Enchantress; a sorceress who only ever uses her powers for selfish gains, and whose beauty is utilised to seduce men into her service, which seems the more likely role for Blanchett's mesmerising screen presence. Because who could possibly resist those ice-blue eyes?

Thor: Ragnarok is set for UK release on 27 October, 2017.