Taika Waititi directed two Thor films, even though he originally had no interest in them at all – but the needed cash for his family growth was a compelling argument. In a podcast, he now reflects on that time.
In the podcast “SmartLess”, New Zealand director and screenwriter Taika Waititi looks back at his collaboration with Marvel. In the episode from November 27, 2023 on Spotify, which is named after the guest, he reveals that he originally had no interest in directing the Thor films.
Nevertheless, it turned out to be a promising financial opportunity because: He was poor and needed the money.
For MeinMMO author Niko Hernes, Thor: Love and Thunder has what is missing for him in other Marvel films.
“A great opportunity to feed these kids”
What convinced the director? In the podcast, Taika Waititi is approached about the Thor films he directed. He recalls the reasons that led him to accept the offer, even though he initially found the franchise uninteresting.
At around 30:30 minutes, he says:
You know what? I had no interest in making one of those movies. […] It wasn’t on my plan for my career […]. But I was poor and had just had my second child, and I thought, ‘You know what, that would be a great opportunity to feed these kids.’
And ‘Thor’, to be honest – it was probably the least popular franchise. I never read ‘Thor’ comics as a kid. That was the comic I would pick up and think, ‘Ugh.’
And then I did a bit of research on it. I read a ‘Thor’ comic, 18 pages or however long they are. I was still baffled by that character.
Taika Waititi via Spotify
How successful were the films then? The first Thor film that Taika Waititi directed was Thor: Ragnarok. The film was released in German theaters in October 2017 and grossed $855 million worldwide (via IMDb). Waititi also directed Thor: Love and Thunder. This was released in German theaters in July 2022 and grossed $760 million worldwide (via IMDb).
A sequel to the films is already planned. However, the series is set to take a completely unexpected direction. You can find out more from our colleagues at Moviepilot.
Will he direct more Thor films? Taika Waititi has stated to Business Insider that he is sure he will not be involved in a new Thor adaptation. “I will focus on these other films that I have signed up for,” says the director.
He adds that he would never feel that Marvel is “betraying” him. He enjoys working with them. “We have an open relationship, and it’s like they want to go out with others, I’m happy about that.”
Instead of Taika Waititi, according to rumors, a director is planned for the continuation of the series about the God of Thunder, who most recently brought a sci-fi film to the screen without expensive frills. He is mainly known for Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
