Oscar-winning actress and "Carol" star Cate Blanchett is in talks to join Marvel's "Thor: Ragnarok" as one of the new female leads. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter offer conflicting reports on the finality of the deal; Marvel had no comment.

Previous reports claim Marvel is looking to cast several women as Valkyries in the film. If this is the case, Blanchett may play one of them, as there's no news as to the role for which she is in negotiations. THR's report cites rumors that Marvel wants to recruit a "bad-ass female."

The news comes roughly a week after screenwriter Stephany Folsom joined the film. Comics writers and Marvel adaptation veterans Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle worked on a previous version of the script.

Directed by Taika Waititi and starring Chris Hemsworth in his latest turn as the titular God of Thunder, "Thor: Ragnarok" is scheduled for release on July 28, 2017.