Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster is Related to The Collector in Thor: Ragnarok

When it was announced that Jeff Goldblum would be playing the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, fans immediately began wondering if the Marvel Cinematic Universe would adhere to the traditional comic book mythology in which Grandmaster was the brother of the Collector. At today’s Marvel Studios panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, Jeff Goldblum himself confirmed that this connection would be honored.

“We’re elders of the universe,” Goldblum explained of his character. “We came about shortly after the Big Bang. We’re the oldest living creatures in the universe. Grandmaster and my brother, Collector. I rule on this planet Sakaar and I put together games. I put together the great, great match between Hulk and the new Thor. “

Collector played an integral role in Guardians of the Galaxy, played by Benicio del Toro. As his name implies, he collected some of the most amazing artifacts from various galaxies and dimensions, which is why he understandably knew so much about the Power Stone when the Guardians brought it to him.

Considering how far and wide the Marvel Universe stretches, many fans have wondered how the different corners of the universe would begin to come together, and Thor: Ragnarok will serve as the closest connection to the Guardians films that we’ve yet to see in the MCU.

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In 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 from a screenplay by Eric Pearson, and stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins.

Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters on November 3, 2017.