In a recent video interview, acclaimed filmmaker Taika Waititi opened up about his experiences in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly his work on Thor: Ragnarok, which premiered in 2017. Known for his unique storytelling style, Waititi shared how his entry into the franchise sparked a wave of concern among fans, who feared he would tarnish the beloved character of Thor.
Reflecting on the initial backlash, Waititi recalled, “That really propelled me into the nerdosphere, if you will. I was living a really lovely, peaceful life, and as soon as I did this, well boy, did the nerds come for me. They said, ‘This guy’s gonna ruin this. He’s gonna ruin Thor!'” This sentiment was particularly pronounced given the mixed reception of Thor: The Dark World, which many fans considered one of the weakest entries in the MCU.
Waititi humorously remarked on the skepticism he faced, saying, “It’s like, ‘What, you mean again?'” He noted how fans were protective of Thor’s image, stating, “They were like, ‘He’s gonna ruin this for everyone, Thor’s so cool!’ And I said to them on Twitter — before I left Twitter — I said, ‘You don’t know what you want until I give it to you.'” This bold assertion highlights Waititi’s confidence in his creative vision, which ultimately led to a successful and refreshing take on the character.
Before taking on the role of director for Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi had not initially envisioned himself working on a Marvel film. In a previous interview, he admitted, “I had no interest in doing one of those films. It wasn’t on my plan for my career as an auteur. But I was poor and I’d just had a second child, and I thought, ‘You know what, this would be a great opportunity to feed these children.'” This pragmatic approach underscores the challenges many filmmakers face in balancing artistic integrity with financial stability.
In the same interview, Waititi also touched upon his experience with the Star Wars franchise, specifically his work on The Mandalorian. He humorously referred to the project as a way to win back the favor of fans, stating, “Speaking of angry nerds, Star Wars, Mandalorian. This is what brought the nerds back. They were like, ‘Okay, you get a pass on this one.'” His involvement in the series, where he directed an episode and voiced the droid assassin IG-11, allowed him to connect with audiences once more.
Waititi’s time on the set of The Mandalorian was particularly memorable for him, as he described the thrill of directing a large group of stormtroopers. “My favorite memory of this was turning up to set and getting to direct 75 stormtroopers,” he shared. “And the little boy inside me, who I’ve kept locked away, he just tried to leap out, and be, ‘Yay, this is my dream come true!’ ‘All right, shut up, kid,’ and I locked him back, I pushed him back down.” This playful reminiscence reveals the joy and nostalgia that comes with working on such iconic franchises.
As Waititi continues to evolve as a filmmaker, his unique perspective on beloved characters and franchises has garnered both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. His ability to blend humor with heartfelt storytelling has made him a standout figure in contemporary cinema, and fans eagerly anticipate his future projects.
With his distinct voice and creative vision, Taika Waititi has successfully navigated the challenges of adapting well-known characters for modern audiences. His journey through the worlds of Thor and Star Wars serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of filmmaking, where passion, humor, and a love for storytelling can resonate with viewers around the globe.
