Thor: Ragnarok is already making a splash at the international box-office, but North American viewers still have a few days to wait before they see the God of Thunder's next big adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although we have had new MCU movies yearly, it's actually been four years (yes, four!) since Thor's last solo movie, The Dark World. Considering that so much has happened in the universe since then, like an attack from Ultron, the Sokovia Accords, the arrival of Doctor Strange, and Ego's attempt to rule the universe, you'd be forgiven for being uncertain of what went down in the Thunder God's last solo outing, of being unsure who was in the movie, and what they were up to the last time we saw them.

RELATED: Why Lady Sif Isn’t in Thor: Ragnarok

With so many characters reported to feature in some capacity in Thor: Ragnarok, whether they are old or new, here is a rundown of everything you need to know, or remember, about all of them.


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Thor

The title character of the movie is one of the MCU's biggest hitters. And yet, since Thor was off-planet during Captain America: Civil War, we haven't seen him in action in the universe since 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron (if we don't count Thor's hijinks with roommate Daryl in the Team Thor short movies.)

Thor from the Thor Ragnarok poster

Last we saw Thor in the MCU, he was flanked by both Steve Rogers and Tony Stark after they had defeated the global threat of Ultron. Recognizing the rising concern of more and more Infinity Stones popping up in recent years, Thor stated that he should leave to find out what exactly was going on in the deep reaches of space, and just who was responsible for this intricate game. As we pick up with him in Ragnarok, we just might find out what he has been up to, and what he has discovered regarding those Stones.

Bruce Banner/Hulk

Bruce Banner and his monstrous alter ego is another character we haven't seen since Avengers: Age of Ultron. After deciding to prioritize Natasha Romanoff's safety in the battle of Sokovia, the Hulk took control and hopped off undetected on a quinjet, leaving his team -- and Black Widow -- behind. The green monster then led his spaceship into space, and he has been off-world ever since, which explains why the character was absent during the superhero Civil War.

Banner and Romanoff had a complicated blossoming romance, but it seems like the Hulk ultimately decided that the Black Widow was better off without them both in her life. When next we see him, the Hulk will be in an arena, a champion who hasn't let Banner out in nearly two years.

Loki

What has Loki been up to? That question seems to get asked a lot in the MCU. Since his first appearance in Thor, Loki became an important part of the MCU, appearing in The Avengers and The Dark World. We last saw the God of Mischief triumphant at the end of the Thor sequel, masquerading as Odin thanks to his powers of illusion.

Loki in Thor Ragnarok

While we the audience knows that Loki is alive, he is believed dead by Thor and his Asgardian brethren, after having "sacrificed" himself to defeat the threat of Kurse. While Thor mourns for his brother, he has no idea that his father Odin is missing and that Loki is alive.

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Doctor Strange

Stephen Strange has only just begun his career as a Master of the Mystic Arts. After saving the world from the Kaecilius and his master Dormammu thanks to his heroism and the Time Stone, Doctor Strange was left the protector of New York's Sanctum Sectorum. When last we saw him in a Doctor Strange post-credits scene, Doctor Strange was in a meeting, consulting with the God of Thunder himself. Somehow, Thor found out that his father was missing, and he is in need of the Sorcerer Supreme's help to find him.

Doctor Strange Beneditch Cumberbatch

The good Doctor may not have a large role to play in Ragnarok, but his presence is still a nice touch, and it just goes to show how important a character he is on a cosmic level.

Odin

Odin Anthony Hopkins

The King of Asgard is currently missing in action. Odin's fate was left uncertain at the end of Thor: The Dark World, when it was revealed that his presence on the throne of Asgard was simply an illusion of Loki's. While we do know that Loki didn't kill his father, we don't yet know exactly what happened. It's likely that Odin has been left powerless -- otherwise, the Allfather would have found a way to return home.

The Warriors Three

The Warriors Three -- Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg -- have always been at Thor's side, the legendary warriors accompanying the Thunder God on many, many adventures. They fought by his side in the first Thor film, and again they helped their friend in his time of need in The Dark World. Although they had a smaller role to play this time around, they were crucial in helping Thor get an Aether-possessed Jane out of Asgard, each of them going against the order of their King to do what was right.

We doubt the lot of them got any more than a slap on the wrist for their transgression, and the Warriors Three are surely ranking among Asgard's top defenders once more.

RELATED: Marvel's Kevin Feige Explains Warrior's Three's Role in Thor: Ragnarok

Heimdall

The Gatekeeper Heimdall was given a big scene in The Dark World, where we saw him protect Asgard from would-be invaders. As a fierce soldier, Heimdall has proven instrumental when keeping watch over the gates of Asgard. While we did see him briefly in Avengers: Age of Ultron, his presence was no more than a vision, a nightmarish dream that Thor had, appearing as a blind man delivering a warning to the God of Thunder.

Thor Ragnarok Heimdall

We've already seen a little bit of Heimdall back in action in the Ragnarok trailers, and it seems like he will once again have an important role to play in the film.

Lady Sif and Jane Foster

Due to a scheduling conflict, actress Jaimie Alexander, who portrays the Lady Sif in the Thor films, could not return to film Thor: Ragnarok. For that reason, her character does not feature in the film in any capacity. While we haven't seen her in the MCU since she helped Thor and Jane escape Asgard, Sif did make an appearance on television in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and there is always a chance that she could return on the series to tie up some loose ends.

Thor's other female companion, Dr. Jane Foster, will also not feature in the film in any capacity. Actress Natalie Portman had a large role to play in both Thor movies, but the actress did not return to reprise her role for a third go, leaving the threequel with the task of giving viewers a quick explanation as to why Jane is not around anymore.

Valkyrie

Tessa Thompson will bring the character known as Valkyrie to life in Thor: Ragnarok. In the comics, Valkyrie is a fierce Asgardian warrior, one who has fought at Thor's side many times over. From what we have seen of the Ragnarok trailers, it looks like Valkyrie will start off in a much different place, being the one responsible for bringing Thor to Sakaar and her employer, the Grandmaster.

thor-ragnarok-valkyrie-header

But, as things move forward, it looks like Valkyrie will find herself fighting alongside Thor, with the proud warrior joining ranks with the Thunder God, Hulk and Loki to form a team that definitely will not be named the Revengers.

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Hela

Cate Blanchett's Hela is not only one of the biggest new threats in the MCU, she will also be its first main female antagonist. While this might be a milestone all its own, Hela is also something to be feared. She is, after all, the Asgardian Goddess of Death, meaning that she is the one looking to come to Asgard and bring about the end of the gods and the end of everything -- the Ragnarok.

hela cate blanchett helmet

Both a fierce hand-to-hand fighter and a powerful being that collects the souls of the dead, Hela will also be able to summon weapons thanks to a power similar to the weapon known as All-Black the Necrosword.

Grandmaster

Jeff Goldblum Grandmaster

The Grandmaster is one of the Elders of the Universe, a powerful and ancient cosmic being who just so happens to be the brother of the Collector, who was last seen in the first Guardians of the Galaxy. Althought the character is blue in the comics, Jeff Goldblum's take on the character will be more in line with his brother's cinematic appearance. In Ragnarok, the Grandmaster is the ruler of the planet Sakaar, where he hosts alien fight matches starring creatures from all over the universe, like, for example, everyone's favorite green goliath.

Topaz

Topaz appears in Thor: Ragnarok as a right-hand woman of sorts to the Grandmaster, a protector who takes her job very seriously. She is portrayed by Rachel House, who has frequently collaborated with director Taika Waititi in his previous films, and she will have a rivalry with Valkyrie when it comes to receiving the appreciative affection of their master.

RELATED: Marvel Has Plans For Two of Thor: Ragnarok's Breakout Characters

Korg and Miek

korg in thor: ragnarok

One is a massive hulking creature that appears to be made of a rock-like substance and the other is a big purple insect-like creature. Both are on the side of good and both appear to be breakout characters in a movie that is only just starting to reach audiences. Korg and Miek both debuted in the comic books, on the planet Sakaar, and it appears that this is where we will also meet them in Ragnarok, as fellow fighters in the Grandmaster's games.

Skurge

Skurge in Thor Ragnarok

Karl Urban will star in Thor: Ragnarok as Skurge The Executioner, a character made famous in the comic books for being a legendary Asgardian warrior who weilds battle axes and machine guns alike. However, the character has fallen to the side of evil. Although he is mostly associated with The Enchantress in the comics, it appears like he will instead appear at Hela's side in the film, most likely as heavy muscle to battle Thor.

Surtur

thor-ragnarok-hulk-surtur

Surtur is a fire demon-like creature that hails from the realm of Musphelheim. Armed with the powerful weapon known as the Twilight Sword, it is foretold that he is the one to bring about Ragnarok, the death of the gods and the destruction of Asgard. Whether Hela summons him to achieve this goal or he does so on his own remains to be seen, but we do know he has a big role to play in the film.

The Fenris Wolf

Fenris roars as he prepares to face the Hulk on Asgard

The Fenris Wolf is a creature out of Norse mythology, a wolf that is bigger and fiercer than any canine that has come before -- or after. A malevolent monster, this wolf fights at Hela's side and it appears like it will give the incredible Hulk a run for his money. In ancient mythology, as well as in the comics, Fenris is the one who is supposed to bring about the end of Odin. However, whether that will occur in the film or not remains to be seen. With something as big and world-shattering as Ragnarok, no character can be safe. Certainly not any hero - and certainly not any god.