The Marvel Cinematic Universe has drawn a lot of criticism over the years for its lack of memorable villains, but recent releases like Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther suggest that the saga may have turned a corner when it comes to delivering memorable and compelling baddies. Moreover, while Hela from Thor: Ragnarok may not have been given as much screen time or development as Thanos or Killmonger, most viewers would likely rank her among the better antagonists to grace the franchise, raising the question of whether Thor’s malevolent sister could ever make a comeback.
Actress Cate Blanchett certainly seems open to the possibility, answering with an affirmative “sure” when Fandom asked her if she’d consider reprising the role. Blanchett’s The House with a Clock in Its Walls co-star Jack Black was then quick to point out that while Ragnarok ends with the character going “down in a giant ball of flame,” we never explicitly see her die, prompting the star to respond with cautious optimism:
“Yes. That looks pretty dead. That looks pretty dead,” Blanchett said. “There’s always a way back, but I’m sure there’s always a way forward, who knows? Sure. I never say no to anything.”
It’s a comment that echoes Idris Elba’s remark when he was asked the equivalent question about his own seemingly deceased character Heimdall, telling Metro.co.uk, “It’s a show about superheroes and guns, who knows.” In other words, anything can happen, and this certainly wouldn’t be the first time a character from the Thor saga has cheated death.
In any case, Blanchett went on to suggest a potential redemption arc for Hela, comparing her character to a similarly supernatural figure from Clock in Its Walls:
“Kyle MacLachlan plays a terrifying baddie, a bad warlock in this, and it’s all about how magic can be used for good or for evil,” Blanchett said. “And when someone hasn’t processed their pain, their good magic can very quickly turn evil. Hela could maybe turn nice, I don’t know.”
Indeed, if Hela’s villainous brother Loki can prove surprisingly sympathetic, maybe all isn’t lost for the big bad of Thor: Ragnarok, though she probably wouldn’t be in the kindest of moods after her encounter with Surtur.