Who does Jeff Goldblum play in Thor: Ragnarok? Meet the Grandmaster
By Nir Regev
Jeff Goldblum plays the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, and we’ve got the details on the film’s ruler of Sakaar and member of the Elders of the Universe.
In Marvel’s comic book universe, the Grandmaster is considered to be one of the oldest living beings in the entire universe. You might notice in the comics that the Grandmaster is blue, but in Thor: Ragnarok they let Jeff Goldblum be … well, himself. According to an interview with IGN, Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi did not want the Grandmaster to be blue because Goldblum had previously played a blue character in the film Earth Girls Are Easy.
The Grandmaster is an ageless being and a member of the Elders of the Universe, a group of supervillains who first appeared in Avengers issue #28 with The Collector. It actually wasn’t until Avengers issue #174 that The Collector was known as an Elder, 12 years later in 1978. The Elders of the Universe are known for their fanatical passion for gaming, collecting, and naturally, fighting. It would come as no surprise then, that the Grandmaster has mastered most civilizations’ games of skill and chance.
His first ever appearance featured the Grandmaster playing a game with Kang the Conqueror. Sort of Saw style, offering the ability to revive Kang’s love Ravonna out of her coma state if he lost and destroying Kang’s planet if he won. At one poin,t the Grandmaster even challenges Death himself to a game with the resurrection of his Elders of the Universe co-villain The Collector as the spoils.
The Grandmaster vs Death: Contest of Champions
The Grandmaster promised to never use Earth’s heroes as pawns again if he won, and when he does, Death reveals hidden text, if you will. A resurrection can only take place if someone dies in place of the the individual being resurrected. Death suggests he sacrifices one of Earth’s heroes, but the Grandmaster sacrifices himself instead to keep his word, proving a man of integrity.
The Grandmaster always has to see a game through. He also sees the larger picture as he takes control of Death’s realm and is banished along with the Elders of the Universe from ever reentering his realm. Effectively making them all immortal, the Grandmaster’s secret goal. The Grandmaster has a fascinating with manipulating heroes against each other in battle. Which brings us to Thor: Ragnarok.
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The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok [potential spoilers ahead]
As the ruler of Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster plays the Red King’s role from Planet Hulk in the film, pitting warriors like the Hulk and Thor against each other in the Sakaaran arena. The Contest of Champions is the name the Grandmaster gives to his gladiatorial colossal event on Sakaar, drawing inspiration from the three-issue story of the Grandmaster vs. Death in 1982.