The Marvel Comics Universe has many realms and dimensions, and some of them are simply more fantastical reflections real world and/or mythical locales. Case in point: Hel, the Marvel Comics Asgardian realm of the dead, which is just one “hockey stick” away from being the Hell that we know and fear, today.
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Hell is a place that has already been teased in name (more on that later), but with the release of the Thor: Ragnarok trailer, we may have gotten our very first look at it!
Here’s the breakdown of where Hell fits into the Thor: Ragnarok trailer, and why it may be significant.
Welcome to Hell
The trailer for Thor: Ragnarok opens with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) being lowered into a fiery pit, chained and bound, while horrific ash creatures seep out of the walls. We have no idea where exactly this place is, but it definitely looks like the sort of fiery pit one would associate with hell.
In Marvel Comics, there are several such locales that are tied to Thor and Norse Mythology: the underworld realms of Hel and Nifleheim, and the realm of the fire demons, known as Muspelheim. Without knowing which realm it is we’re looking at here (or some other place entirely), it’s hard to confirm for sure – but there is strong enough evidence that it is some Marvel Cinematic Universe version of the realm of the dead.
And finally going to such a place could have major repercussions for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future.
Death & Hell
One of the big questions surrounding the character of Cate Blanchett’s Hela, is whether or not she could possibly be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Death. In Marvel Comics, Death is a personified entity who becomes the object of Thanos’ affection – the reason he eventually seizes the Infinity Stones and tries to bring order to the universe – by wiping out half of the lifeforms in it.
As the ruler of Hel in the comics, Hela has often tried to let the dead overrun Asgard and Midguard – actions she seemingly takes in Thor Ragnarok (see: Heimdall battling one of Hela’s undead soldiers), which would mean major upheaval in one of the most fundamental forces of the cosmos: death itself.
That development already touches some established corners of the MCU – and could far reaching impact on future films, as well.
Devils & Demons
The notion of Hell has already been introduced to the MCU – during the first story arc of Agents of SHIELD season 4, last fall. That story arc introduced a new Ghost Rider to the MCU, and his origin story involved a trip to hell, where he struck a deal with the devil. Ghost Rider actor Gabriel Luna name-dropped that devil as being Marvel Comics demon, Mephisto.
In Marvel Comics, there’s always been this vague separation between Mephisto and his fiery realm, and Hela and her realms – so it remains to be seen if the MCU would treat them similarly, or if there’s one Hell (or Hel) realm for the entire MCU to share. And if it’s the latter, what the hierarchy of leadership is.
Since Robbie Reyes is technically stuck in hell right now, it’ll be interesting to see if there are any Ghost Rider / Thor: Ragnarok connections made in the future.
More Thor
In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first, he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!
Thor: Ragnarok is directed by Taika Waititi with a screenplay by Eric Pearson. The film stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett (Hela), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Karl Urban (Skurge), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Sam Neill, Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), and Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Stephen Strange).
Next up for Marvel is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on May 5, 2017. Spider-Man: Homecoming lands on July 7, 2017, followed by Thor: Ragnarok on November 3, 2017. After that Black Panther debuts on February 16, 2018, while Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters on May 4, 2018. Ant-Man and the Wasp is slated for July 6, 2018, followed by Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019.
How excited are you for Thor: Ragnarok? The film is currently at an impressive 4.11/5 in our Anticipation rankings – rate YOUR excitement, below!
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Image Courtesy of Ufotable
