Cate Blanchett looks set to make her debut in the popular Marvel superhero universe after it was revealed she is in final negotiations to join the new Thor film, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Details of the role being considered by the Australian Oscar-winner, who was nominated on Thursday for a best actress Golden Globe (drama) for her critically acclaimed turn in Carol, directed by Todd Haynes, have not yet been revealed. However, Marvel has reportedly been on the lookout for a “badass female” to appear in the third solo outing for Norse demigod, played by Chris Hemsworth.
The studio revealed earlier this month that newcomer Stephany Folsom has been hired to rewrite the script for Thor: Ragnarok, which follows 2011’s well-received Thor and 2013’s middling The Dark World into production. New Zealand film-maker Taika Waititi is taking charge of the cameras for the new instalment. The son of Odin has also appeared in a pair of Avengers movies, both of which took more than $1bn at the global box office.
Disney-owned Marvel has previously introduced Hollywood icons such as Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Michael Douglas (Ant-Man) and Anthony Hopkins (the Thor films) in superhero fare.
If Blanchett signs on the dotted line, Thor: Ragnarok will be her debut superhero gig. However, the actor is no stranger to genre fare, having starred in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, and its prequel saga, The Hobbit, as elf queen Galadriel.
