Stellan Skarsgård Rules Himself Out Of Thor: Ragnarok, Infinity War Role Still Possible

Twelve films, two phases and umpteen cameos later, it’s become difficult to keep tabs on who is and isn’t appearing within each new installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Setting aside the sprawling ensemble for May’s Civil War, next year sees the release of Guardians 2, Jon Watts’ untitled Spider-Man movie and, lastly, Thor: Ragnarok, and we now have word of one actor who’s ruled himself out of the latter.

That man in question is Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, better known to Marvelites as the eccentric Dr. Erik Selvig. First appearing in the original Thor movie, Skarsgård recently confirmed to Den of Geek that he won’t be returning to the Nine Realms anytime soon.

In the MCU, casting decisions are as much affected by contractual agreements as they are by narrative consistency, and it would appear that, after featuring in four Marvel movies to date – Thor, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age Of Ultron – Skarsgård is left with one feature remaining. And it isn’t Ragnarok.

“I have a five-film deal with them, and they still have one option. Thor 3 is not on my slate, but maybe the next Avengers.”

He won’t be the only actor remaining on the sidelines come 2017, with Ray Stevenson also unsure of a return. Then again, recent reports suggested that Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury – the original anchor (MacGuffin) that helped draw the MCU together – could have a small role in the sci-fi sequel.

Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok is slated to release on November 3, 2017.