Rising Star Tessa Thompson Will Be "A Kind of Superhero" for 'Thor 3'

Red hot actress Tessa Thompson (Selma, Dear White People) fresh from a remarkable performance in Ryan Coogler's Creed, will be joining him as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe when she replaces Natalie Portman as the female lead in Thor: Ragnarok. 

Details of the role are scarce but Deadline reports her character "will be a kind of superhero and will appear in other Marvel films as well." Speculation on the internet has fans hoping she'll play Monica Rambeau, Angela, or Valkyrie. She is also reportedly playing Thor's love interest. 

The Los Angeles-native of Panamanian/Mexican descent will join returning actors Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Jaime Alexander as Lady Sif. New to the Norse-inspired franchise is fellow Avenger, Bruce Banner/Hulk played by Mark Ruffalo and Cate Blanchett. 

After her stellar turn opposite Michael B. Jordan in 'Creed,' Thompson has been extremely busy. She's one of the leads of HBO's highly anticipated drama series Westworld from producers Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight) and J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). She also has a supporting role in the John Michael McDonagh directed film War on Everyone, which premiered at SXSW.

Coincidently, Portman who starred in the first two Thor installments will be co-starring with Thompson along with Gina Rodriguez and Oscar Isaac in director Alex Garland's Ex-Machina follow-up Annihilation. Shooting begins this spring. 

Thor: Ragnorak is scheduled to begin production in July with director Taika Waiti and is slated for release on November 3, 2017.

Sources: Deadline, THR, Variety