After weeks of speculation, Russell Crowe has revealed that he has officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Greek god Zeus, in the next instalment of the Thor franchise.

Rumours were flying around last month when the actor was spotted hanging out with the cast in Australia, where Thor is currently filming.

He finally confirmed his role in the franchise during an interview with Aussie LGBTQ+ radio station Joy 94.9, where he said: "I'm gonna get on my bicycle.

"I'm gonna ride up to Disney Fox studios, and round about 9:15, I shall be Zeus. It's for Thor. It's my last day of Zeus-ing about and I'm going to enjoy it."

The inclusion of the Greek god in the franchise suggests that the Olympians (which have their own Marvel comic) could soon be joining the block-busting franchise.

Marvel likes to keep storylines and characters securely under wraps, however Crowe's appearance as Zeus appears to be in a cameo role, rather than part of the central plot.

He will join the god of thunder himself Chris Hemsworth when he returns to screens as Thor, alongside Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and new addition Christian Bale, who is set to play the movie's villain.

Chris Pratt, Sean Gunn and Dave Bautista are also set to appear in the ensemble cast, reprising their roles from Guardians of the Galaxy.

Taika Waititi is returning to direct the film after being at the helm of Thor: Ragnarok in 2017.

The film is slated to hit cinemas in May 2022.

Thor: Love and Thunder is part of a new slate of Marvel films which will look at events following the 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, which ended what was known as the Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Other Marvel films set to be released soon include Spider-Man: No Way Home in December, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness next year, and Black Widow, which will hit Disney+ in July.