“I know what you’re thinking,” opens the trailer in a voice-over by Thor. “How did this happen?”

From the start, it’s clear that Thor: Ragnarok will be different from the other Thor films, especially as Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” begins to play. Thor: Ragnarok is ready to be funny.

After the successes of Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man and Deadpool, Marvel knows that its comedies fair just as well, if not better, than their darker flicks. For the less vital Thor series, it might be the change of pace it needs.

The standalone Thor movies have played up laughs from time to time, but have always veered toward the side of serious. Still, its seriousness has rarely been as impactful as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, or the more recent Logan.  

So in the same vein as its more lighthearted predecessors, Ragnarok is giving a new look to some familiar faces.

Read also: Into the minds of Marvel superheroes

The trailer features a look at fan-favorite antagonist, Thor’s brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), along with Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Hela (Cate Blanchett), the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first female primary villain.

The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) also makes a surprise appearance in what looks to be a gladiator face-off between the green giant and the god. “We know each other! He’s a friend from work!” explains a giddy Thor to the confused crowd.

Backed by Led Zeppelin, Thor: Ragnarok seems finally ready to embrace its quirks. (sul/kes)

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