Chris Hemsworth – Thor,

Tom Hiddleston – Loki,

Cate Blanchett – Hela,

Idris Elba – Heimdall,

Jeff Goldblum – Grandmaster,

Tessa Thompson – Scrapper 142/ Valkyrie,  

Karl Urban – Skurge,

Mark Ruffalo – Bruce Banner/ Hulk,

Anthony Hopkins – Odin.

Thor (2011).

Thor: The Dark World (2013).

Thor:  Love and Thunder (2021).

Two years after the battle of Sokovia, the fire demon Surtur has imprisoned Thor. Surtur reveals that Odin, Thor’s father, is no longer on Asgard. Surtur explains that after he has united his crown with the Eternal Flame burning in Odin’s vault, the prophesised Ragnarok will come about, and Thor’s realm will be destroyed. Thor frees himself, defeats Surtur, and takes his crown, believing that he has prevented Ragnarok. 

Returning to Asgard, Thor finds that the protector of the Bifrost (the bridge between Asgard and Midgard (Earth)) Heimdall (a character based off the Norse god Heimdallr), is gone. Thor also discovers that his brother Loki is posing as Odin, using his magical powers to fool the citizens of Asgard. After forcing Loki to reveal himself, Loki admits that he placed a spell on Odin and left him in an old person’s home on Earth. Travelling to Earth, Thor and Loki discover that the home has been demolished. After Loki disappears through magic, Thor follows a business card which leads him to Stephen Strange (a superhero introduced in the 2016 film Doctor Strange) in the Sanctum Sanctorum in New York City. Strange helps Thor to locate Odin, with Thor and Loki travelling to Norway. Finding their father, who has regained his memory, Odin explains that he is dying, and that Ragnarok is imminent. He reveals that after his death, his firstborn child, Hela (the goddess of death, based on the Norse goddess Hel) previously unknown to the brothers, will be released from a prison she was long ago sealed in. Odin explains that Hela was the leader of the armies of Asgard, helping to conquer the Nine Realms alongside Odin. However, fearing that she had become too ambitious and powerful, Odin imprisoned Hela, writing her out of history. After Odin dies, Hela appears, quickly destroying Thor’s hammer Mjolnir. Thor and Loki attempt to flee through the Bifrost, however Hela pursues them and forces them out into space. Having arrived in Asgard, Hela quickly defeats its army and kills the Warriors Three (a group of characters appearing as supporting cast members throughout the Thor franchise). Hela then resurrects the ancient dead who had once fought alongside her, including the giant wolf Fenris (based on Fenrir, a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology). Hela then appoints the Asgardian Skurge to be her executioner. She plans to use the Bifrost to expand Asgard’s empire. However, Heimdall reappears, removing the sword which controls the Bridge and begins to assist Asgardians in escaping the city and hiding from Hela and her forces.

Thor crashes onto the planet Sakaar, a garbage planet surrounded by wormholes. Attacked by a crowd of its inhabitants, they are defeated by a slave trader who goes by the title Scrapper 142. Scrapper 142 proceeds to subdue Thor with an obedience disk embedded in his neck which electrocutes him until he is unconscious. Gaining consciousness, Thor finds himself strapped to a chair and presented with a holographic account of the rise of Sakaar and a figure known as the grandmaster. Meeting the grandmaster, it is revealed that Scrapper 142 has sold Thor to the grandmaster to appearing the Grandmaster’s Contest of Champions. As Thor will later discover, this contest is a form of gladiatorial combat, the first time such a plot has been introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Thor then discovers that Loki is also present on Sakaar, although his brother arrived before him and has used his time on the planet to integrate himself with the Grandmaster.

Thrown into a dungeon like area, Thor meets other gladiators including a figure named Korg. Korg reveals that the Grandmaster’s Champion (who Thor will have to face) has never been defeated, and kills everyone who faces him. Thor learns that Scrapper 142 is one of the Valkrior, the legendary force of female warriors who were killed may eons ago. Thor is then forced to compete in the Contest of Champions, where he discovers that the Grandmaster’s Champion is his old friend, Hulk. During the fight, Thor discovers an ability to summon lightning, and is able to gain the upper and. Before his Champion can be defeated however, the Grandmaster uses the obedience disk embedded in Thor’s neck to ensure his defeat. After the fight, Thor attempts to convince bother Scrapper 142 and Hulk to help him to save Asgard, although neither wishes to help him. Eventually, Thor escapes the palace, and discovers the which brought Hulk to Sakaar following the battle of Sokovia. Entering the Quinjet, Hulk watches a recording of Natasha Romanoff which forces Hulk to transform back into Bruce Banner.

Thor and Hulk join forces with Scrapper 142 (now referred to as Valkyrie) and Loki to escape Sakaar. Before leaving, the group liberate the other gladiators in order to create a distraction. The gladiators, led by Korg, stage a revolution and themselves steal another ship. Returning to Asgard, Thor and his allies fight and defeat Hela, although Asgard is destroyed in the process. Watching the destruction of Asgard, Thor decides to take his people to Earth.

Whilst the third film in the Thor franchise, Thor: Ragnarok is the first to incorporate allusions to Roman gladiatorial combat. The decision to deliberately fuse gladiatorial and alien elements was highlighted by Dan Hennah, the production designer of Thor: Ragnarok. Hennah stated:*

"The early concept work that I inherited was largely Roman based gladiatorial and it’s been done so often that the sandals have worn out… It’s time for something new and so we sort of went all alien with it."

Although Hennah never clarifies precisely what work he here refers to, it could perhaps be that of concept artist Aleksi Briclot. Whilst the final designs for the gladiators of Thor: Ragnarok were not based on Briclot’s work, it is worth noting that he explicitly stated the connection between his designs and specific Roman gladiatorial types. For instance, "I’ve based my first proposals on the usual gladiator types: this one being close to a Thracian or a Secutor", "He’s based on the gladiator type called Retiarius, with a trident and a net".**

Whilst the term "Contest of Champions" is used within Thor: Ragnarok, the audience quickly discovers that it refers to gladiatorial combat. During the holographic introduction to Sakaar and the Grandmaster, images of pairs of figures fighting are displayed along with the term "Contest of Champions". Thor’s new status as a gladiator is explicitly confirmed with the introduction of the character Korg, another slave/ gladiator. Striking up a conversation, Thor asks Korg, "How did you end up here?". Korg replies: 

"Well, I tried to start a revolution, but didn’t print enough pamphlets so hardly anyone turned up. Except for my mum and her boyfriend, who I hate. As punishment, I was forced to be in here and become a gladiator. Bit of a promotional disaster that one, but I’m actually organizing another revolution. I don’t know if you’d be interested in something like that? Do you recon you’d be interested?"

Here, the word "gladiator" is used for the first time in relation to the Contest of Champions, confirming for the audience what may already have been suspected. Whilst Korg’s character is primarily comedic, he can also be seen as a Spartacus like figure thanks to his role as the leader of a gladiator rebellion. It is possible that some audience members may recognise this story arc due to a familiarity with the historical figure, or the 1960 epic historical film featuring Kirk Douglas. However, it is perhaps reasonable to assume that contemporary audiences would be more likely to draw comparisons with other modern Spartacus like figures such as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games franchise, or the HBO television series Spartacus (2010–2013). Thor: Ragnarok does not make the comparison between Korg and Spartacus explicit however, perhaps suggesting that the film is simply making use of a standard cinematic trope regarding gladiators. Despite having been imprisoned for his first attempt at a revolution, Korg continues to hope and plan. Later in the film, during the escape from Sakaar, Valkyrie is viewed providing Korg with an alien weapon. Korg declares "The revolution has begun!", before successfully leading the escape of the remaining gladiators. 

Before Thor enters the arena of Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster’s "Champion" was an anonymous figure. This Champion’s deadly nature is revealed by Korg, who states that "Everyone who fights the Grandmaster’s Champion perishes". Loki also highlights the danger that awaits Thor, warning, "I haven’t seen this beloved Champion… but I hear he’s astonishingly savage". Indeed the deadly nature of Sakaaran gladiatorial combat is emphasised through the depiction of two guards dragging away the body of a defeated (and presumably deceased) gladiator. Entering the arena, Thor and Loki discover that the famed Champion is Hulk, Thor’s friend and fellow Avenger. Despite the warnings Thor previously faced, the combat between Thor and Hulk ends with the survival of both gladiators. An audience watching the gladiator fight of Thor: Ragnarok would be unsurprised by the survival of both Thor and Hulk. They are, after all, both key members of the MCU, and with additional upcoming films announced for this series, the death of either character would be implausible.

The arena of Thor: Ragnarok bears a striking visual resemblance to the Roman amphitheatre, and to the Colosseum in particular. Viewing the Sakaaran city for the first time, a large open-aired and circular building is seen. Whilst there is nothing here to confirm its use as a gladiatorial arena, the inference could be reached by those familiar with the general architectural design of the Colosseum. Whilst there are 252 known amphitheatres in the western empire, with approximately another twenty in the Greek east, the Colosseum remains the best known example of an amphitheatre in the mind of the general public.*** According to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Colosseum received over 13.4 million visitors in 2016–2017.**** Even those who have not visited the site, may be familiar with the Colosseum through its depiction in films such as The Core (2003), Jumper (2008), Angels & Demons (2009), and Spectre (2015).***** Others may recognise it from videogames such as Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) and Ryse: Son of Rome (2013). Due to the fame of the Colosseum and its frequent appearance in popular media (whether based in the Roman world or modern times), it seems reasonable to assume that cinematic audiences both understand what is meant by a Roman arena, and are familiar with its basic design. The visual similarities between the Colosseum and the Sakaaran arena, alongside the inclusion of terms such as gladiators, and discussions of fights to the death, would simultaneously take advantage of any classical knowledge cinematic audiences may already possess, whilst providing enough information for those unfamiliar with Roman customs to easily comprehend the plot.

Indeed, the familiarity of the Sakaaran arena is unsurprising, since Hennah admitted that "Early on we looked at ancient Roman arenas".****** It is later confirmed that this structure is the Sakaaran amphitheatre. Whilst never viewed from directly overhead, the design of an arena floor surrounded on all sides by seating is successfully communicated. This is achieved through the elliptical form of the building itself, and the layout of its audience. Tracking shots show the spectators standing in neatly organised segments, which follow the curvilinear form of the building. At no point is an area depicted lacking audience accommodation, implying that spectators watch from all sides. That spectators do not sit during the entertainment, is an adaptation seemingly specific to Thor: Ragnarok. Hennah noted that, "We toyed with a lot of different concepts", finishing with an arena "surrounded by bleachers which have standing up bleachers, not sitting down".*******

Thor: Ragnarok also follows the cinematic tradition of the imperial box, as depicted in historical films such as Gladiator (2000), The Eagle (2011), and Pompeii (2014). The Grandmaster, Loki and other unidentified inhabitants of Sakaar are shown watching the Contest of Champions from this location. Their separation from the general crowd has immediate connotations, building on the stereotypes of decadent, excessive, and tyrannical rulers. The Grandmaster may watch the Games from a sofa, but his position as an Emperor-like figure has already been established. He is first depicted in an opulent golden throne room, surrounded by guards and women who may be concubines. Later, the Grandmaster is portrayed wielding a futuristic sceptre which acts as an execution device, killing his own cousin without mercy. The audience thus comprehends that not only is the Grandmaster flamboyantly decadent, but also tyrannical – tropes traditionally associated with the Roman Emperor. Indeed, the Grandmaster’s echoing of a Roman Emperor is identified by the authors of numerous articles.

Whilst it is possible some audience members may possess a classical education, it can be assumed that most do not, and that instead their understanding is built on popular representations of the Roman world – such as cinematic and televisual works. Of course, such works do not focus on the issue of "accuracy", filmmakers are not historians, nor do they develop their scenarios for an audience of historians in mind. Instead, films rely on well-established motifs, imported elements from parallel traditions, and moments thematically consistent with the tone of the film. Thus, whilst an audience member may never have studied the classical world in an academic sense, they may be familiar with certain aspects thanks to other works previously encountered. Since the turn of the Twenty-First century cinematic portrayals of ancient Rome have once again gained popularity, thanks to works such as Gladiator (2000), Rome (2005 – 2007), Spartacus (2010 – 2013), The Eagle (2011), and Pompeii (2014). Within each of these works examples of gladiatorial combat are present (although to varying degrees). It is possible that audience members of Thor: Ragnarok have previously watched such works, thus producing a frame of reference for their understanding. 

* Jane Fujikawa, "Jack Kirby’s Design Influence Is A Force In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’", marvel.com, published October 19, 2017 (accessed: June 1, 2019) 

** Aleksibriclot, A gladiator for Thor, Instagram, published December 1, 2017 (accessed: March 17, 2020); Another gladiator for Thor, Instagram, published December 13, 2017 (accessed: March 17, 2020). 

*** Susanna Shadrake, World of the Gladiator, Stroud, 2005; Jerry Toner, The Day Commodus Killed a Rhino: Understanding the Roman Games, Baltimore: MD, 2014. 

**** Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, "2017. ALL #MUSEITALIANI NUMBERS" (accessed: June 22, 2019). 

***** The Core 0:49:16; Jumper 0:39:46; Angels & Demons 0:14:16; Spectre 0:29:37. 

****** Carolyn Giardina, How ‘Thor’ Production Designers Created a “Hulk-Sized” Bed, November 8, 2018 (accessed: June 18, 2020).

******* Jane Fujikawa, Jack Kirby’s Design Influence Is A Force In ‘Thor: Ragnarok, published October 19, 2017 (accessed: June 18, 2020).

Aleksibriclot, Another gladiator for Thor: Ragnarok, Instagram, published December 13, 2017 (accessed: July 22, 2019).

Aleksibriclot, A gladiator concept art, Instagram, published January 13, 2018 (accessed: July 22, 2019).

Bianco, J., "Why Thor: Ragnarok will be better than you think" (accessed: August 2, 2019).

Fujikawa, Jane, "Jack Kirby’s Design Influence Is A Force In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’", marvel.com, published October 19, 2017 (accessed: June 1, 2019).

Giardina, Carolyn, How ‘Thor’ Production Designers Created a “Hulk-Sized” Bed, November 8, 2018 (accessed: June 18, 2020).

THE CREDITS. 2018, "Jeff Goldblum Reveals the Grandmaster Is “Very Much Around” After Avengers: Infinity War" (accessed: August 2, 2019).