LIGHTS, camera, action! Principal photography on Chris Hemsworth’s next Marvel blockbuster, Thor: Ragnarok, will begin on the Gold Coast on July 4.

The Phase 3 sequel will be based at Village Roadshow Studios for the duration of the shoot, expected to continue through until late-October.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Marvel Studios executive David Grant announced the date in a video released to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“We opened the offices in Gold Coast about three months ago and we start principal photography in Gold Coast Australia on Thor: Ragnarok on July 4 and we’ll be shooting there through to late October,” Mr Grant said.

media_camera Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has told Marvel executive David Grant Queensland wants to keep partnering with Marvel for “many, many more years to come”. Picture: Adam Head.

Ms Palaszczuk asked Mr Grant if lots of locals would get an opportunity to be involved in the production.

“Hundreds and hundreds of local folk — as many as we can possible get while we are there,” he said.

Ms Palaszczuk told Mr Grant Queensland was looking forward to hosting the blockbuster.

“It’s really exciting and Queensland wants to keep partnering with Marvel for many, many more years to come,” she said.

media_camera Thor star Chris Hemsworth is full of praise for Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi. Picture: Mark Calleja

Lead by Hemsworth as Thor, director Taika Waititi’s all-star cast includes Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Karl Urban as Skurge and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.

Sir Anthony Hopkins is also tipped to return as Thor’s father, Odin, with Idris Elba back as Heimdall alongside Jaimie Alexander as Sif.

media_camera Anthony Hopkins, pictured in a scene from Thor: The Dark World, is tipped to reprise his role as Odin in Thor: Ragnarok. Picture: AP/Walt Disney Studios/Marvel.

Speaking during a panel discussion at last week’s Wizard World Philadelphia convention, Hemsworth said fans would get to see “different” takes on both Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok.

“Man, it is a lot of fun,” he said.

“I think tonally it’s a big shift in a great way, more than anything we’ve seen before.

“Taika Waititi, the director, if you know any of his work, yeah, he’s just an incredible sort of comedic talent, a lot of heart in everything he does.

“But you know it’s a very different Thor, it’s a different Loki.

“I think there’s a — we go off on another world that we haven’t experienced before.

“It’s fun you know, but that’s me skirting around the issue because I can’t say too much.”

media_camera Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Marvel's Thor: The Dark World. Picture: Marvel.

Fellow panellist Hiddleston said fans could look forward to an epic rematch between Hulk and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok.

“Let’s not forget that it’s no secret that the Hulk shows up in Ragnarok, and the last time Loki and Hulk were in the same room didn’t go very well for Loki,” he said.

“So, he’s got a few chips on his shoulder, but it’s fun. You’ll see.”

Originally published as Cameras to roll on Thor on July 4