Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, the third instalment of the Marvel Studios' franchise starring Australia's Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding comic book Super Hero, has today been confirmed to start pre-production in Queensland in January 2016 with filming to begin in June 2016. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with Marvel executives in June in Los Angeles and, through Screen Queensland, worked tirelessly to ensure Queensland was the production destination of choice. Here's what Annastacia Palaszczuk had to say in a statement about Thor: Ragnarok filming in Australia.

"This is a huge win for Queensland and I am thrilled that Thor will be filming exclusively in our state. As our economy diversifies, Queensland is demonstrating its strength as a lead destination for filmmakers both internationally and locally, and my government is doing what it can to ensure that Queensland remains a global hub for the screen sector. The production will spend more than $100 million AUD in Queensland and will employ over 750 Queensland crew."

The studio will film at many locations throughout Queensland including scenes at Village Roadshow Studios at the Gold Coast. The first two films in the Thor series-- Thor, released in 2011, and Thor: The Dark World, released in 2013 -- earned more than $1 billion USD at the global box office. Disney has slated a November 3, 2017 U.S. release date for Thor: Ragnarok. Here's what Louis D'Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios, had to say in his statement.

"Queensland offers an amazing and diverse backdrop for Thor: Ragnarok and we are very excited to bring this film to such an incredible locale. Marvel Studios would like to thank the Queensland Government for helping to make this a reality."

Taika Waititi is directing Thor: Ragnarok from a script by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston are reprising their roles as Thor and Loki, and we reported last week that Mark Ruffalo is in talks to reprise his role as Hulk. We'll keep you posted with more updates on Thor: Ragnarok as we get closer to production starting in Australia.