FIRST LOOK: Thor: Ragnarok

As part of director Taika Waititi's direction for Thor: Ragnarok to a new direction, Chris Hemsworth's new look as the titular Norse god isn't a surprise.

Entertainment Weekly released the cover for their April cover revealing Cate Blanchett as Hela, Chris Hemsworth sporting the new look as Thor and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.

Other than Thor's new costume, which seemingly gladiatorial, it could be connected to the earlier image released by Marvel having Hulk in in a gladiator suit thus leading to the Planet Hulk story.

Apparently, as seen on the magazine cover, Thor holds a dual blade-- ditching Mjolnir.

EW also revealed Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster.

In an interview with EW, Director Taika Waititi also addressed the film's more comic tone: “I think sometimes people mistake a tonal shift as ‘We’re just going to make some ridiculous broad comedy where no one gives a s**t what happens and everyone gets stoned and sits around talking about saving the universe. We want people to care what happens and care that the hero succeeds. I think tonally it’s like a slight shift. I don’t feel nervous — I feel good about it.”

What be the movie's saving grace is the appearance of Doctor Strange. How big will be Strange's impact to the movie? Tell us in the comments below.