Cameras started following on Thor: Ragnarok earlier this month, but director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) has still found the time to take part in a couple of interviews, where he discussed the Phase Three threequel, the creative freedom afforded to him by Marvel, and how the film will differ from previous instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“It’s hard to say what the movie is because it’s changing,” Waititi tells Polygon. “The plot has changed and the script has changed. There are buddy elements to it between Thor and the Hulk, but who knows what the final movie will look like. This movie really celebrates that group of misfits who are on the run. There was something exciting about it and I wanted my movie to be exciting and fun. Watching everyone run amok on screen and enjoying themselves is what I wanted to make going into it. I feel like a guest in Marvel’s universe but with the creative freedom to do what I want. I think this is the most different Marvel movie to date and one of the biggest.”
In a seperate interview with CBR, Waititi spoke about his decision to cast Creed star Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie: “Right from the start we wanted to diversify the cast, and it is hard when you are working with Vikings. You want to be more inclusive and provide a broader representation. And at that point, you have to look at the source material as a very loose inspiration. And then take it from there and go with your gut. Say, ‘You know what? None of that stuff matters. Just because the character was blonde and white in the comic book. That doesn’t matter. That’s not what Valkyrie is about.’ People forget that.”
“Die-hard fans will say, ‘That’s not really authentic to the comics,’ but as soon as they watch the movie, and they’re involved in the story, and actually what’s happening, everybody forgets,” he continues. “The fact that we even have to keep having this conversation is ridiculous, because we keep forgetting. Unless it’s the topic of the film, it just shouldn’t even be — what do we even care? I think the story is king, and you want the best person for the job. And Tessa tested against — we cast a very broad net, and Tess was the best person.”
Thor: Ragnarok is being directed by Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows) and features Marvel veterans Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Idris Elba as Heimdall and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk alongside Cate Blanchett as Hela, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster and Karl Urban as Skurge. It is set for release on November 3rd, 2017.
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Originally published July 17, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
