While fans still try to wrap their heads around the plot and scale of "Thor: Ragnarok" -- it's "a universal road movie" with elements of "Planet Hulk" ... and possibly Thanos? -- a new rumor adds another wrinkle that could tie the film to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."

According to "The Hashtag Show," which broke the news of Finn Jones' casting as Iron Fist, Thor and the Hulk will somehow encounter the alien Cotati during their journeys. The name will undoubtedly ring a bell with fans steeped in the cosmic elements of Marvel Comics, as the species of telepathic plants linked to Mantis, who makes her live-action debut next year in the "Guardians" sequel (played by Pom Klementieff).

As the podcast points out, "the Cotati are best known as the race of aliens to awaken powers within Mantis," but they also originate on the Kree homeworld, which could be one of the stops on Thor and the Hulk's universal road trip. "The Hashtag Show" notes, however, that its Marvel source couldn't say whether Mantis might make an appearance in "Thor: Ragnarok."

Directed by Taika Waititi, "Thor: Ragnarok" stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Idris Elba, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban and Anthony Hopkins. It opens Nov. 3, 2017, six months after "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."