Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban join Thor: Ragnarok

Marvel announced today that Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban and Tessa Thompson will be joining Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok.

Goldblum (Independence Day, Jurassic Park) will play the eccentric Grandmaster; a character who first appeared in Marvel comics in The Avengers #69. The Grandmaster is one of the Elders of the Universe, one of the oldest beings in existence as a member of one of the first intelligent races to evolve following the Big Bang. He's also a big fan of games with high (life-threatening) stakes.

Goldblum will be joined by Karl Urban (Star Trek), who will play the Asgardian warrior, Skurge, an infamously powerful Asgardian warrior, eventually gaining the "the Executioner" for his skill in battle.

Tessa Thomson (Creed) will also join the cast of Ragnarok as Valkyrie. Like the Grandmaster, Valkyrie first appeared in the Avengers comics, but later became a staple figure on the Defenders team. Valkyrie was born a non-divine Asgardian under the name Brunnhilde, and was hand picked by Odin, Thor's father, to command the Valkyrior, a group of female warriors.

Cate Blanchett, who had previously confirmed her involvement with the movie, will play the villainous Hela. The alleged daughter of Loki — and a goddess of death — Hela is considered to be a great threat to the Asgardian people and will be the main enemy in Ragnarok.

Marvel Studios' president, Kevin Feige, said the addition of these actors will make the series feel even more "powerful and unique" than anything that's come out of it before.

"The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can't be quantified," Feige said. "Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honor, and having all of them is incredible."

Mark Ruffalo will reprise his role as the Hulk for the film, and Hemsworth, who plays the titular character, will also be joined by Tom Hiddleston, reprising his role as Loki. Natalie Portman, who played Thor's main love interest, Jane, will not be returning.

Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters Oct. 25, 2017.