Fans were sent into a frenzy when the title was announced for the third film in the Thor franchise, revealing it would deal with a key story from Norse mythology and the Marvel comic books.
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But Thor: Ragnarok takes many deviations from the source material, though it still has to do with the prophesized death of the gods and the destruction of Asgard.
Warning: minor spoilers for Thor: Ragnarok below.
After the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor is plagued by mysterious visions of Asgard in flames, as well as images of the Infinity Stones. Though fans who follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe know their significance, the God of Thunder remains ignorant and goes on a quest to decipher their meaning.
The beginning of Thor: Ragnarok reveals his journey has brought him into the clutches of Surtur, a giant fire deity who has imprisoned Thor and plans to destroy Asgard as revenge for Odin defeating him years ago.
Surtur reveals to Thor that he plans to instigate Ragnarok, saying Odin’s absence has left Asgard unprotected. Thor, who believes his father is still ruling his home and unaware of Loki’s treachery, asks Surtur how Ragnarok can be fulfilled.
Surtur explains that he is prophesized to destroy Asgard, and that he must place his blazing crown into the fires of the Eternal Flame. Then, his physical stature will grow and his power will be near limitless, and he would destroy Asgard as the prophecy states.
Based on the film’s title and the fact that Cate Blanchett stars as Hela, the Goddess of Death, many assumed that her character would have something to do with the prophecy. But she doesn’t at all, and Ragnarok becomes a tool to be used against her.
In norse mythology, Ragnarök is described as the Twilight of the Gods, embroiling all of the Nine Realms. It is a rebirth for the gods after they all die in an epic battle, born again to begin the cycle.
While Thor: Ragnarok approaches the event in a different way, it also honors the cycle of rebirth with the Asgardian people living on to establish a new home. Hopefully fans get to see more in Avengers: Infinity War or in a future Thor film.
Thor: Ragnarok is in theaters now.
