Planet Hulk’s Sakaar Will Be Featured In Thor: Ragnarok

2016 has been an excellent year for Marvel Studios, and next year only promises to be better. Projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are set to debut in the coming months, and the third installment of the Thor franchise will also hit theaters. Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok promises to give fans a blend of stylistic humor and grit thanks to its comic book roots. The movie has been rumored to tie-in elements of Planet Hulk, and those reports were more-or-less confirmed at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.

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Now, fans have gotten a new update about Thor: Ragnarok courtesy of Waititi himself, and the director confirmed a very familiar planet will be featured in the threequel.

In an interview with Total Film, Waititi shared details about his entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and confirmed Thor: Ragnarok would partially take place on the planet Sakaar.

“Sakaar was just an insane, far-off, futuristic place which was the biggest shift for the film and these characters, Waititi said.

If you are not familiar with Sakaar, then you should know the planet is featured heavily in the popular Planet Hulk storyline. The outpost planet is a gathering place for vagabonds and corrupt criminals from all over the universe. Sakaar is home to the nefarious Red King and his gladiatorial arena where he forces his slaves to fight for entertainment. In Planet Hulk, Bruce Banner finds himself conscripted as a gladiator and must fight alongside his Warbound comrades to free themselves and their planet.

Of course, fans already knew that Thor: Ragnarok would feature some sort of gladiator fight sequences. At San Diego Comic Con, Marvel Studios unveiled the Hulk’s gladiator armor to promote his next theatrical appearance, and fans immediately connected the ensemble with Planet Hulk. Now, fans can be all but certain they will see some rather nasty fights to the death when Thor: Ragnarok rolls around.

The cast of Thor: Ragnarok features returning stars Chris Hemsworth (Rush) in the title role for the fifth time; Tom Hiddleston (Kong: Skull Island) as Thor’s adversarial, adopted brother, Loki; Idris Elba (The Dark Tower) as the Asgardian sentry, Heimdall; and Sir Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) again portraying Odin, Ruler of Asgard. Newcomers to the franchise include Cate Blanchett (Cinderella) as the mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson (Creed) as the classic hero Valkyrie, Karl Urban (Star Trek) as Skurge, and Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) reprising his role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

MORE: Thor: Ragnarok Will Reportedly Feature Planet Hulk Content / First Look At Hulk And Thor In Battle / Hulk Weapons At CCXP / Does Hela Have A Soul Stone? / Set Video Of Hela’s Stunts / Ragnarok’s Possible Connection To Infinity War

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.

[H/T] MCU Exchange