"Thor: Love and Thunder" is not only one of the most anticipated Marvel films, it is also one of the most star-studded. Russell Crowe has joined the cast of Taika Waititi's next film, "Thor."

The report comes from Deadline, which notes that "according to insiders, Crowe is one of the many surprises coming out of the film," but it is no longer a surprise. Crowe joins other big names that have been leaked, including Matt Damon (reprising his role from "Thor: Ragnarok") and Melissa McCarthy (in an undetermined role). That said, we're already making a fist of who Crowe will play, and we think it will be someone from "Avengers: Endgame."

As was the case with Damon, director Waititi likes to use big-name actors to play humorous little roles in reminiscences. For example, in "Thor: Ragnarok," the people of Asgard (now displaced) reenact the events of past Marvel films. And this is the perfect place to have Crowe appear, as he helps Thor reflect on the events of his last movie, Endgame.

This is both a cunning way to make the Thor films stand out and a laughable way for a major actor to play a singular role. Matt Damon plays the actor cast as Loki in "Ragnarok," and Melissa McCarthy appears to be playing Thor's half-sister, Hera Odinsdottir.

And for the final piece of the puzzle, here are some photos of Crowe with his "Thor: Love and Thunder" co-stars at the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby game at the Australian Stadium on March 26:

The special effects and I know the makeup team can accomplish a lot, but this aesthetic of Crowe's practically screams that he is playing a bearded version of Thor in Endgame. You know, the Thor who has gained a grievous amount of weight and is in an online battle with someone with a gamer tag of noobmaster69. Side note: Can we reveal that the gamer was the time-traveling Loki from the Loki TV Show? Please.

That said, as Inverse speculates, Crowe could easily fill in for Josh Brolin as Thanos. Other potential "Endgame" rerun roles discussed in the "Tom's Guide" slack include the smarter and more sociable Hulk, Star-Lord, and Drax. The last two are less likely, but still possible.

And while it is possible that Crowe's role probably has nothing to do with the "Endgame" compilation, it seems more likely that his role is a humorous cameo, if we know that at this stage rather than early in production. The principal casting, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster (who gains Thor's powers) and Christian Bale as the main villain, have been known for some time.

"Thor: Love and Thunder" is scheduled for release on May 6, 2022.