Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum join 'Thor: Ragnarok' cast

LOS ANGELES, May 20 (UPI) -- Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum have joined the cast of Thor: Ragnarok.

Marvel announced the 47-year-old actress and 63-year-old actor for the Thor: The Dark World sequel Friday, along with Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban. Avengers star Mark Ruffalo is also confirmed for the film.

Blanchett will play the new, "mysterious and powerful" villain Hela, with Goldblum as the "eccentric" Grandmaster. Thompson and Urban will portray Valkyrie and Skurge, while Ruffalo will reprise his role as the Hulk.

"The continuation of the epic Thor franchise will be powerful and unique, and with the additions of Cate, Jeff, Tessa, Karl and Mark to the cast we have the makings of his most dangerous and heroic adventure yet," producer Kevin Feige said in a statement.

"The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can't be quantified," he said. "Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honor, and having all of them is incredible."

The newcomers join returning star Chris Hemsworth as Thor, in addition to Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Natalie Portman, who played Jane Foster in the first two films, will not return.

In the comics, the Grandmaster is an ancient being who once possessed one of the six Infinity Gems. Valkyrie, meanwhile, is an Asgardian warrior and love interest to Thor, while Skurge is a villain with a double-bladed battle axe.

Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters Nov. 3, 2017. The first two movies, Thor (2011) and Thor: The Dark World (2013), earned a combined $1.09 billion at the box office.