Thor: Ragnarok is still a long way off with the third installment set to hit the big screens on July 28, 2017. Though that is barely a year away, one would hear of various rumors on the possible plots and storyline to expect in the upcoming Marvel flick.

Well the latest word out is that the next Thor film may very well give Lady Sif (played by Jamie Alexander) a big push.

In an interview with the LA Times, Alexander does provide some careful hints on what to expect. That includes Sif being stripped of her powers and the likelihood of seeing her take on a more major role once the third installment comes out.

Sif has of course been making appearances on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and normally such would provide hints on what is ahead. Could her role have something to do with the next Avenger film Infinity Wars?

There was that interesting post by Cinema Blend back in may which narrates how critical Thor 3 would be.

In that post, it seems to indicate two critical objects tied up with Avengers: Infinity Wars. That is the Infinity Gauntlet and some of the Infinity Stones which Thanos is planning to complete.

Actually, much of those stones could be around when Captain America: Civil War comes around before we see what takes place in Thor 3. Hence, it would be best to keep tabs of the movies Marvel has lined up, apparently because all are interconnected in some way.

Other than that, Marvel CEO Kevin Feige continues to be tight-lipped on what to expect for Thor 3. The only consolation is that he did promise fans of some plot details which will be shared in the near future which will hopefully mean in the coming months.

"Probably towards the end of the summer we would announce a filmmaker and a writer," he promised. "May be the same person, I don't know, may be two different people" as bared by Feige through Collider.

The only sure thing is that Kenneth Branagh is not involved. The director is not returning and Feige goes on to say that there is no truth to that rumor.

Other than that, expect a lot of more hints, rumors and speculations before Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters next year. Mark the date, Thor: Ragnarok is slated for a July 28, 2017 release.