Karl Urban On What Drew Him To Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok

While attending the premiere of Star Trek Beyond, we got an opportunity to ask Karl Urban what's the coolest thing about playing Skurge in Thor: Ragnarok. Since he hasn't begun filming and seeing as though Marvel likes their actors to keep a lid on details, Urban could only hint at what's in store for Skurge, though the 44-year-old actor did open up about what drew him to the role.

"Well, it's difficult for me to really comment about it because I haven't started production yet, but I'm looking forward to getting on set," Urban told ComicBook.com. "For me, I read the script and it was a fun script and quite different than the previous Thor movies, and I was drawn to the appeal of working with Taika Waititi, the director. So, the coolest thing about Skurge? I think is probably his journey through the film. There's change and there's - he finishes the film in a different place than he starts and, as an actor, that's always something you look for."

Hmm. So, Skurge finishes the film in a different place than where he starts? Sounds like we could see Walt Simonson's classic tale "Skurge's Last Stand" come to life on the big screen. For a long time in the comics, Skurge (a.k.a. The Excutioner) was merely a Thor antagonist, best known for wielding a magic double-bladed battle axe and following the Enchantress around like a lovesick puppy. But, in the December 1985 issue of Thor (#362), when the forces of Asgard, led by the God of Thunder, march into Hel to rescue a number of souls from Earth, the crew needs somebody to defend the bridge back to Asgard. Skurge shockingly volunteers and sacrifices himself, sealing his heroic transformation.

Additional reporting by Ashley Robinson.

The cast of Thor: Ragnarok features returning stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role for the fifth time; Tom Hiddleston as Thor's adversarial, adopted brother, Loki; Idris Elba as the Asgardian sentry, Heimdall; and Sir Anthony Hopkins again portraying Odin, Ruler of Asgard. Newcomers to the franchise include Cate Blanchett as the mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, Jeff Goldblum as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson as the classic hero Valkyrie, Karl Urban as Skurge, and Mark Ruffalo reprising his role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

Thor: Ragnarok, the third installment of Marvel's popular Norse Super Hero, is directed by filmmaker Taika Waititi. Kevin Feige will produce the film, joined by executive producers Louis D'Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee.

Thor: Ragnarok will be released on November 3, 2017.