‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Spoilers Reveal Doctor Strange’s Role

It’s no big secret that Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange will appear in the next Marvel movie, “Thor: Ragnarok,” which will star Chris Hemsworth as the titular character. But what will his role be?

According to Slash Film, Doctor Strange will be teaming up with Thor and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) as they face off against intergalactic villains “both familiar and new.” In the “Doctor Strange” end-credits scene, Thor was seen talking to Strange in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Strange promised to help Thor locate Loki (Tom Hiddleston) so they can finally return to Asgard.

Director Taika Waititi earlier revealed that the film will take place in Sakaar, the titular Planet Hulk. “Sakaar was just an insane, far-off, futuristic place which was the biggest shift for the film and these characters,” he said, according to Collider. “I was really excited when Kevin [Feige] and the rest of Marvel jumped on board with the idea to use [Jack] Kirby as a big influence in the design of the film. What’s really hard is staying authentic.”

In Sakaar, the Hulk is turned into a gladiator in the Imperial Arena run by the Red King, a corrupt ruler of a fearsome empire. Thor will somehow find himself in Sakaar and rescue his fellow Avenger with the help of a new heroine named Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson).

It was even reported earlier that Valkyrie will become Thor’s new love interest, but the rumor was dismissed by Screen Geek. Although there will be a spark between the two characters, they won’t become a couple and will simply remain friends. It seems like Marvel is going to maintain Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster as Thor’s main love interest, even though she won’t make an appearance in the third film. In fact, her name won’t even be mentioned at all in the upcoming film.

“Thor: Ragnarok” will be released on Nov. 3, 2017.