The Verge recently had the chance to catch up with Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi, and the filmmaker shed some light on how he's prepping to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe after making a number of low-budget, critically acclaimed movies. Production on the threequel begins on July 4th on Australia's Gold Coast, and Asgardian sets (and possibly even spaceships) are being built right now.
"It hasn't been that different. So far it's been good!" Waititi revealed. "I've been more organized, which is saying something, for a guy like me to be organized. I'm surrounded by really intelligent, amazing people. I've got access to great minds and great resources. So I'm at a real advantage. In terms of the studio thing, these people don't act like a studio. They're cool, smart storytellers. I've been enjoying hanging out with them. And I've made commercials, so I've worked with the worst people in the world. Nothing could be more restrictive than working with people in advertising."
Asked about the level of humour in the movie and whether or not a big budget Marvel Studios movie like Thor: Ragnarok can actually "feel" like his previous work, the director went on to explain that he feels like he's still able to bring his own unique vision to this world. "Yes, it will. Until it doesn't. [Laughs] I don't know, I can only hope. I've got to bring as much of myself as I can to this, and then see how it goes. You obviously need people overseeing the bigger picture, the next five movies or whatever. Otherwise we'd all be left to our own devices, and God knows what would happen."
"I don't think it's as important with someone else's source material, with someone else's stuff," he continued when asked about how important it is to him to have complete control over a movie like this one. "I didn't invent Thor, so I don't feel a passionate need to have creative control over him. I wonder how Stan Lee feels about me doing a Thor film? [Laughs]" What do you guys think?