'Thor: Ragnarok' | Mark Ruffalo explains what Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson bring to the franchise

Actor Mark Ruffalo has praised both Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson for their roles in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok film.

The 49-year-old actor has starred as Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since The Avengers and is reprising his role in the third Thor movie alongside Chris Hemsworth.

The movie marks the first time the MCU will feature a lead female villain, Hela, played by Blanchett. It also features another strong-female Valkyrie (Thompson), reported Contactmusic.

"It's great that we have Blanchett and Thompson, these two amazing, powerful, strong, beautiful, intelligent women, playing these two important, integral characters in this movie. We have Hela, played by Blanchett. She has all the power, all the strength, all the talent of any of the other gods, but with all the rage.

"... Then you have Valkyrie, played by Thompson. She is another female presence who didn't feel welcome. She's a powerhouse and a brilliant fighter. She's as equally as powerful as Thor. She's a warrior. Valkyrie is one of the people who ended up banishing Hela from Asgard," Ruffalo said.