The official trailer for “Thor: Ragnrok” dropped last month at San Diego Comic Con. While some interesting new characters can be seen from the trailer, the main villain is most intriguing. In the trailer for the third installment of Marvel’s superhero blockbuster, Hela a.k.a. the Goddess of Death, appears to wreak havoc and invade Asgard.
The character is portrayed by Australian Actress Cate Blanchett (who hopes to see more female villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). If you feel like you have seen her before, you are not alone. Here are 5 reasons why Hela from “Thor: Ragnarok” looks so familiar.
‘Elizabeth’ (1998)
In what is considered her breakout role, Blanchett plays Queen Elizabeth I of England, who is freed from house arrest (for conspiracy charges) and becomes the Queen when her half-sister dies of a womb tumor. The film, which earned $82 million, sees a naïve Elizabeth faced with attempts by her council to marry her off (in order to secure her rule over England) and the Vatican’s hatred of her. Meanwhile, she starts a romance with Lord Robert Dudley, who she later discovers is part of the plot to kill her.
Blanchett, who in 2007 reprised the role in the movie’s sequel, received her first Academy Award nomination for her outstanding performance in this movie directed by Shekhar Kapoor.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001-2003)
In Peter Jackson’s successful blockbuster trilogy, Blanchett, stars as the elf Galadriel. The film series, which has grossed more than two billion dollars at the box office, tells the story of Frodo Baggins and his fellowship as they embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and its maker, Sauron.
Blanchett later reprised her role in the prequel series to "The Lord of the Rings trilogy," "The Hobbit."
‘The Aviator’ (2004)
In 2004, Blanchett starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator." On the critically acclaimed biographical drama, which portrays the life of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes, Blanchett played Katharine Hepburn, an actress who becomes romantically involved with Hughes.
However, Hepburn breaks up with Hughes due to his promiscuous lifestyle and finds a new love interest with fellow actor Spencer Tracy.
The movie, which stars big-name actors such as Jude Law, Kate Beckinsale, and Alec Baldwin, is one of Blanchett’s most successful films to date. Her portrayal of Katherine Hepburn brought her first Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting role, making her the only actor to win an Academy Award for playing the part of another Academy Award winner, Katherine Hepburn.
‘Blue Jasmine’ (2013)
Blanchett won another Academy Award, this time for Best Actress, for her portrayal of a rich socialite from Manhattan in "Blue Jasmine." The movie follows a debt-ridden Jasmine Francis who moves into her sister’s (Sally Hawkins) apartment in San Francisco.
As memories of her dark past haunt her, Jasmine tries to turn her life around in her present. However, her decisions further complicate matters and start to adversely affect her and those around her.
In addition to being successful on the financial front, the comedy-drama film, which was directed by Woody Allen, proved to be a hit among critics. Blanchett joined Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Stuhlbarg for the movie, which grossed over $97 million in the box office and garnered 28 awards and 64 nominations, the majority of which were for her role.
‘Cinderella’ (2015)
In Disney’s romantic fantasy film, Blanchett played Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s cruel stepmother.
The critically-acclaimed movie which stars Lily James (“Downtown Abbey”), Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”), and Helena Bonham Carter (“Harry Potter”) pulled in more than $500 million worldwide against a budget of $100 million.
