‘Thor 5’: Taika Waititi Reiterates He’s Not Returning But Says Chris Hemsworth Is “In Talks” With Marvel For Next Installment

After the success and audience reaction to “Thor: Ragnarok,” it felt like a no-brainer for Marvel Studios to bring back writer/director Taika Waititi to tackle a follow-up with “Thor: Love & Thunder.” However, with that sequel in the rearview mirror, it does seem like people weren’t entirely thrilled with that installment, and has landed alongside “Thor: The Dark World” as one of the lesser entries in the franchise. What exactly went wrong isn’t terribly clear. Still, it sounds like whatever comes next in the “Thor” universe won’t have Waititi behind the camera as the filmmaker has decidedly moved on and is now reiterating previous public statements made to Business Insider along with giving fans some hope that a fifth movie is potentially in early development.

While they don’t have a direct quote in the piece, Inverse says while speaking with the director that Waititi has told them he has “heard” that Marvel and Chris Hemsworth are talking about what to do next with the franchise. The main takeaway is that Waititi is moving on for the time being, which isn’t that crazy to imagine given the poor reception of “Thor: Love & Thunder” and how busy the filmmaker has become with a growing list of projects in his queue.

Waititi confirmed he’s not currently working on “Thor 5,” which would be a hypothetical follow-up to his divisive “Thor: Love & Thunder.” Waititi said that while he heard star Chris Hemsworth and Marvel are in talks about making a fifth Thor movie, Waititi “needed a break from that.” “It’s a very draining process working on these films for two and a half years and nonstop,” Waititi tells Inverse.

Some of the other projects on Taika’s plate include a new live-action “Flash Gordon” remake at 20th Century Studios (had been animated previously), a mystery “Star Wars” film at Lucasfilm (we’ll be shocked if that actually comes together), a feature film adaptation of French sci-fi graphic novel “The Incal” from Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius, and adds in the interview the main thing he’ll be focusing on is “Klara & The Sun.” Oddly enough, while we had assumed that Waititi had exited the long-gestating “Akira” movie (development goes back to the 2000s) at Warner Bros., the director gives the impression he is still actively involved alongside screenwriter Charles Yu and trying his best to get an authentic version based on the original manga.

“Obviously, I think people who loved the film, I want to make sure that they’ve also read the books because there’s a lot more in the books than there are in the film,” Waititi says. “And some people are very protective over the film, which is not quite the same as the books. So we’re drawing a lot from the books.”

To Taika’s credit, it’s been extremely difficult to get the “Thor” movies right and he was able to spin magic with “Thor: Ragnarok.”

Concept artwork for Thor Ragnarok: Valhalla Closeup by Emmanuel Shiu  (cdna.artstation.com) submitted by FaeryKnig… | Thor ragnarok concept art,  Concept art, Artwork
Unused concept artwork of Valhalla from artist Emmanuel Shiu and Marvel Studios.

When it comes to a fifth “Thor” installment there are plenty of things that Marvel could use if they were finally willing to make an epic-level movie that harkens back to the Norse mythology that the studio has been mostly avoiding over the last four films. “Thor 5” could quickly become Marvel’s version of “Lord of The Rings: Return of The King” considering the world of Tolkien is directly inspired by the Norse myths.

Those tidbits include James Bond actor Daniel Craig nearly playing Thor’s dead brother Balder The Brave in “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness” (cameo was cut) who had been a casualty of Loki’s Asgard pranks in the original myth and was briefly referenced in “Loki” Season 2. Balder’s comic book love interest Karnilla The Norn Queen, might attempt to resurrect her lost love and make dangerous alliances to make that happen. The Light Elves were teased in “She-Hulk” with the impish trickster Runa and their Kingdom within the realm of Alfheim, a fresh location they could easily use for new battle sequences. The realm of Valhalla was established in “Thor: Love & Thunder” which happens to be the home of brave dead/fallen heroes (That could include Balder, Angela, and Thor’s uncle Cul Borson) known as The Einherjar and are led by former foe, Harokin. With Ragnarok over and Odin long dead, their purpose hasn’t been fulfilled, and could become restless waiting for some big battle that is never coming. The Rock Trolls, led by iconic Thor villain Ulik, almost appeared in the original film and would make for a neat surrogate for Orcs. Speaking of Cul Borson, he could become the MCU version of The Midgard Serpent, aka, Jörmungandr, who ultimately kills Thor. Having Thor sacrifice himself to save the Light Elves or the living world entirely could be another honorable way for another original Avenger to bow out.

With that all said, Marvel has yet to announce a screenwriter or new director and we shouldn’t expect any immediate movement outside of this attempt to secure Hemsworth. Hopefully, the next time Kevin Feige is ready to announce new projects “Thor 5” will be among them and we could get early vague plot details.

SOURCE: INVERSE

‘Thor 5’: Taika Waititi Teases A More Formidable Villain Than Hela, Here Are Some Contenders

While it looks like we won’t be getting any massive lineup updates about the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon there are some early seeds being planted for a hypothetical “Thor 5” and what could interestingly be a sign we might be heading back to more Thor-focused comic book mythology being the inspiration for it. Some new quotes from an upcoming “Thor: Love & Thunder” tie-in book (via ScreenRant) reveal writer/director Taika Waititi’s feelings on where things should be heading for the God of Thunder in a fifth potential film.

“What is left to do to him? It’s got to be something that feels like it’s carrying on with the evolution of the character, but still in a very fun way and still giving him things to come up against that feel like they’re building on the obstacles that he has to overcome. I don’t think we can have a villain that’s weaker than Hela. I feel like we need to step up from there and add a villain that’s somehow more formidable”

BHOC: MARVEL SPECTACULAR #18 – The Tom Brevoort Experience

It’s a project that hasn’t been made official by Marvel Studios but is likely to happen given Chris Hemsworth’s willingness to return to the role and the last film establishing Valhalla as another MCU realm where both Jane Foster and Heimdall now reside after their on-screen deaths. It’s the location of the mythical great hall of fallen heroes where the Valkyries take the dead warriors from the battlefield to prepare for victory at Ragnarok.

Valhalla opens the door for all sorts of Norse characters to potentially make their MCU debuts such as Balder The Brave, Karnilla The Norn Queen, Amora The Enchantress, Angela, Sigurd, and even an even more obscure villain like Harokin who is one of The Einherjar, the fallen undead heroes of Asgard/Valhalla that are expected to be called upon by Odin to fight the Jotun as part of his army.

Another option could be Thor’s uncle Cul Borson, aka The Serpent, who more or less could end up becoming the movie version of the Midgard Serpent. In Norse mythology, the Midgard Serpent, aka, Jörmungandr (recently seen in the “God of War” games and tied to Marvel’s Multiverse villain The Black Winter) is a massive snake-like creature and child of Loki that is destined to kill Thor in the events of Ragnarok with its deadly venom. Jörmungandr does kill Thor in Norse legends and might be exactly the kind of “formidable villain” Waititi is referring to in these teasing statements.

We’ve actually already experienced one of these deadly end-of-the-world beasts in the past. “Thor: Ragnarok” featured Fenris Wolf (a version of Fenrir), a giant wolf that kills Odin during the final battle of Ragnarok. But this version was the undead companion of Hela and was dispatched by Hulk as Odin had died earlier in the film. Hulk flung Fenris off the edge of Asgard into the void of space.

Of course, there are even more outlandish contenders like Ulik The Rock Troll, the long-rumored Mephisto (Marvel’s cosmic take on the Satan that is a longtime foe of Thor), and in a hilarious episode of “She-Hulk,” it’s been established Asgard’s allies, the Light Elves, are walking around Midgard.

While some may be in the belief that Brett Goldstein’s Hercules and the Greek pantheon of gods should be antagonists, it feels sort of like small potatoes compared to what Waititi is talking about. Plus, circling back to the Norse elements would be super refreshing after Marvel goes out of their way to avoid tackling all the existing unused material this whole time (light elves, rock trolls, giants, Midgard serpent).

The filmmaker also reiterates the importance of focusing on Thor’s comic book mythology which hopefully means they may return to untapped Norse/comic elements they’ve been avoiding this entire time.

The director also revealed that there is one aspect that he thinks is more true to Thor than any other MCU character, and that is “the mythology that he originates from.” Waititi believes pitting Thor against “more and more outlandish and crazy beasts, monsters and aliens” as he continues in the MCU stays true to Thor in the comics and his mythological origin.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Waititi has given the impression in previous interviews he might be moving on from making future “Thor” installments himself. And it wouldn’t be that surprising given the negative reaction to “Love & Thunder” alongside the filmmaker’s increasingly large dance card that includes a remake of “Flash Gordon” at 20th Century Studios, “Klara & The Sun” based on the Kazuo Ishiguro novel, an adaptation of Jodorowsky/Moebius’ sci-fi fantasy graphic novel “The Incal,” and finally a long-gestating “Star Wars” film at Lucasfilm.

I guess we’ll have to be patient about any future developments concerning “Thor 5.”

SOURCE: TITAN’S THOR: LOVE & THUNDER THE OFFICIAL MOVIE SPECIAL

Taika Waititi May Indeed Direct Scarlett Johansson In Disney’s ‘Tower Of Terror’ Movie

Disney is looking to release a new horror-themed film “Haunted Mansion,” which is loosely based on the popular theme park attraction. That’s isn’t the only project on the horizon that is connected to the parks as there had been plans on making a “Tower of Terror” movie and there seems to be confirmations of sorts that it’s still in some sort of development at the studio.

In a recent profile of actress Scarlett Johansson, Variety briefly supports a previous report from The DisInsider that Waititi is attached to direct the horror pic for Disney as the two worked together on the WWII movie “Jojo Rabbit.” But Variety failed to give any new concrete details of when that is exactly going to happen. The ride is directly connected to the “Twilight Zone” series and would certainly be a neat way for Disney to keep making horror films.

Step uneasily inside the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel and find a dusty lobby frozen in time. Even the subdued hotel staff seems strangely out of another era. Suddenly a television set springs to life and Rod Serling welcomes you on a journey into the Twilight Zone. He reveals that on a gloomy Halloween night in 1939, some hotel patrons were riding the elevator when a violent storm struck the building… and they were never seen again. The hotel closed down and has stood empty ever since.

There had been some assumptions that after the actress’ legal headaches with Disney over money tied to Marvel’s “Black Widow” that something like “Tower of Terror” might have soured on her. However, given that Waititi is attached it could delay things even further given how busy the filmmaker is these days with multiple films he’s already attached to including a “Star Wars” film, a remake of “Flash Gordon,” and a new sci-fi pic “Klara & The Sun.”

SOURCE: VARIETY

Taika Waititi To Turn Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Graphic Novel ‘The Incal’ Into A Feature Film

Before Dune’s recent success, the first attempt to make a feature film version of the Frank Herbert novel goes back to the 1970s with Chilean-French director Alejandro Jodorowsky. When they couldn’t get a studio to make his version of Dune he pivoted towards a graphic novel instead.

Concept artist Jean Giraud (The Fifth Element, Willow, Alien) and Jodorowsky eventually would reunite for The Incal.

John Difool, a low-class detective in a degenerate dystopian world, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient, mystical artifact called “The Incal.” Difool’s adventures will bring him into conflict with the galaxy’s greatest warrior, the Metabaron, and will pit him against the awesome powers of the Technopope. These encounters and many more make up a tale of comic and cosmic proportions that has Difool fighting for not only his very survival but also the survival of the entire universe.

It’s been announced that Jodorowsky has endorsed a new feature film incarnation of The Incal from Taika Waititi. He’ll direct and co-write the script with Jemaine Clement (What We Do in the Shadows, Flight of the Conchords) and Peter Warren (Ghost Team, The History of Us).

Waititi is busy as any single filmmaker can get as he has wrapped on Next Goal Wins and Marvel’s Thor: Love & Thunder. He’s also developing a new live-action remake of Flash Gordon for 20th Century Studios, an untitled Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm, and is rumored to be attached to direct Scarlett Johansson in Disney’s Tower of Terror movie.

Scarlett Johansson & Taika Waititi May Reunite For Disney’s ‘Tower Of Terror’ Movie

Black Widow actress Scarlett Johansson publicly sued Disney during the summer because of a dispute over Disney shutting her out from participating in Disney+ revenue for the Marvel Studios film, which subsequently dinged her bonuses based on box office earnings. They eventually settled out of court when Disney’s big smear campaign against the actress backfired hard and almost led to The Russo Brothers backing out of a new potential project at Marvel.

After the dust settled, there was a report that she would still make Disney’s Terror of Tower movie, based on the horror attraction from their parks. It looks like they might have secured a director.

The Disinsider now is reporting that Kiwi director Taika Waititi has “signed on” to direct.

This would be a reunion as the two previously worked on the Oscar-winning comedic drama Jojo Rabbit, which focused on a family hiding a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany as the young son, Jojo, is being indoctrinated in the Hitler Youth.

Taika Waititi is a busy lad as his films Next Goal Wins and Thor: Love & Thunder still have to be released. He’s also developing a new live-action Flash Gordon movie for 20th Century Studios and is still chipping away on a script for an untitled Star Wars film.

It’s worth mentioning that Taika is currently in post with his Thor sequel and his Star Wars script hasn’t been completed, as Patty Jenkins’ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is the priority and goes into production next year at Pinewood Studios UK. There haven’t been any real signs of what his next film project will be.

Tower of Terror isn’t the only family-friendly horror project at Disney as they’re shooting a new incarnation of Haunted Mansion with director Justin Simien (Dear White People), another Star Wars creative that is developing the Lando series for Lucasfilm.

Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4, Inside Out) had been previously announced as the film’s screenwriter, but if Waititi is involved he’ll likely add his own polishes to the script given the Jojo Rabbit screenwriter won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

JOJO RABBIT – Writer-director Taika Waititi (THOR: RAGNAROK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE), brings his signature style of humor and pathos to his latest film, JOJO RABBIT, a World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy (Roman Griffin Davis as JoJo) whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.

SOURCE: THE DISINIDER

Taika Waititi Says He’s Still Keen On Making The ‘Akira’ Movie; “I Don’t Wanna Give Up On That”

Warner Bros. has been trying to make a live-action feature film version of the beloved cyberpunk/body horror anime and manga Akira and their development goes back almost twenty years starting with Stephen Norrington (Blade) in 2002.

Multiple directors had tried to bring the project to the big screen only for things dissolve and the next set of creatives being hired.

The most recent incarnation had Oscar-winner Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) attempting to adapt for the studio, but seemingly hit a brick wall when trying to make sure he was able to cast a string of young Asian kids for the roles. Warner Bros. had been trying to whitewash the project for ages and even relocate the extremely Japanese story to Manhattan.

There had been an assumption that Taika Waititi had moved to bigger and brighter things with an original Star Wars movie on the horizon and his Flash Gordon movie at 20th Century Fox being upgraded from animation to live-action.

While promoting his acting performance in Ryan Reynolds’ Free Guy, he spoke to Wired giving the impression he’s still involved with Akira and hasn’t entirely walked away from it.

 “I’m still trying [to make it]. I don’t wanna give up on that.”

Given his busy schedule and admitting his focus is now on his Star Wars project, it’s unlikely he’ll pivot to Akira anytime soon.

The last big anime adaptation was DreamWorks’ box office flop Ghost In The Shell, hopefully, Warner Bros. learns their lesson from that disaster.

If you’re interested in the development of Akira, you can read a feature I wrote for IGN covering the history of live-action adaptation and it includes a heap of concept artwork from various incarnations.

AKIRA – In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, 31 years after the nuking of the city, Kaneda, a bike gang leader, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a secret government project. He battles anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader until Tetsuo’s supernatural powers suddenly manifest. A final battle is fought in Tokyo Olympiad exposing the experiment’s secrets.

SOURCE: WIRED

‘Flash Gordon’: Taika Waititi’s Animated Film At 20th Century Studios Pivots To Live-Action

A new Flash Gordon movie has been in the works at 20th Century for ages with two different versions previously in development stages with directors Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust, X-Men: First Class) and Julius Avery (Overlord) assigned to the project at various points.

Flash Gordon is a pulp sci-fi hero that helped inspire George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise as Han Solo is directly connected to characters like Flash and Buck Rogers. A comic strip hero that debuted in 1937 with many live-action/animated incarnations with a string of serials and a campy film that released in 1980 that included music from Queen.

In the wake of 20th Century’s merger with Disney, Julius Avery’s incarnation was placed on ice and it was later announced that director Taika Waititi would be tackling an animated movie version of Flash Gordon by writing and directing it. However, producer John Davis has spoken to Collider revealing that Taika is currently writing it and has changed his mind wanting to do a live-action movie instead. He didn’t really give a timeline though or when they expect Waititi will be available to shoot it.

“Taika is writing it. It was a movie that was a huge influence on him growing up. It is one of his favorite movies. He initially said to me, ‘Let’s do it animated.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Then we got into it and started developing it and he said, ‘No, let’s do it live-action.’ I said, ‘Even better,'” John Davis told Collider of Taika’s pivot to live-action with Flash Gordon.

Disney/20th Century certainly lucked-out nabbing the director as watching Thor: Ragnaok it’s hard not to notice that tone and visuals were most likely inspired by the 1980 movie.

Waititi only recently wrapped on Thor: Love & Thunder and is expected to direct a new Star Wars film for Lucasfilm in the near future alongside other films, but it’s possible that Flash Gordon could be the next big thing given how quickly he shoots these projects. He had once been attached to make a movie based on the manga Akira for Warner Bros., but he’s seemingly won’t be doing that.

I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed that the studio and Taika will consider Black Panther franchise actor Winston Duke as the new Flash Gordon, given the actor’s stature fits the role perfectly and someone like Chris Hemsworth would be a little redundant since his Thor incarnation is essentially Flash now.

FLASH GORDON – Prepare to save the universe with the King of the Impossible! Alex Raymond’s famous comic strip blasts to life in the timeless sci-fi cult adventure Flash Gordon! When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon unwittingly finds himself heading for the planet Mongo, where – with assistance from beautiful Dale Arden – he’ll take on Ming the Merciless and rescue humankind.

SOURCE: COLLIDER

Deadpool & Korg React To The ‘Free Guy’ Trailer; Could We Get An MCU Team-Up In ‘Deadpool 3’?

Using that Disney hype machine to help promote their upcoming film Free Guy, co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Taika Waititi have teamed-up to reprise their Marvel Comics characters to do a parody reaction video highlighting the trailer for Free Guy coming next month to theaters.

Interestingly enough, this is sort of the first film Wade Wilson has ever interacted with a character directly from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (granted this likely isn’t official canon or is it?) since being acquired by Disney. We’re also seeing him in a very PG-13 format which might be new for some given his raunchy foul-mouthed antics.

It’ll be neat to see if Deadpool and Korg do eventually feature together in a future Marvel project as Deadpool 3 feels like a good spot for that interaction. Reynolds had previously teased an idea he had for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to appear in a road trip film and now I can’t only think about how cool it would be if Taika’s Korg took that spot instead.

As it sits, Deadpool 3 will officially kept it’s R-rating and has a script being penned by The Molyneux Sisters (Bob’s Burgers), however, a director hasn’t been named. I think it would be nifty if Taika Waititi, a noted workaholic, tried to sneak in and direct Deadpool 3 before another Thor installment or possibly even his Star Wars movie. Taika works fast and could likely churn-out a sequel pretty quickly as fans are patiently waiting for the mutants to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Karen Gillan Says Working With Taika Waititi On ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ Was A Fun Experience; Teases ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.3’ Script Is “Incredible”

Karen Gillan is ditching the blue makeup for her latest feature film, Gunpowder Milkshake, an all-female action project at Netflix that seemingly takes cues from modern flicks like John Wick. The Scottish actress is currently doing press for the movie and revealed to Variety what it was like working with director Taikai Waititi earlier this year during the Australian shoot for Marvel’s Thor: Love & Thunder.

“Taika is amazing. It was so cool to take this character and work with him. Taika definitely brings out a different, more silly sight of Nebula, for sure. Which makes total sense because his stuff is more wacky and bonkers, in the best possible way. His technique is so improvisational, especially in a big blockbuster film, you don’t expect to get that much freedom to improvise. He just shouts out things like, ‘Do this! Say that again! Again!’ It’s such a fun experience,” Karen Gillan said of her experience working with director Taika Waititi on Thor: Love & Thunder.

She also adds that James Gunn’s script for Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3 is “incredible” without expanding upon that in any great detail. The third installment will begin shooting this November according to Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt and has a release date of May 5, 2023.

Gillan’s action pic Gunpowder Milkshake hits Netflix on July 14 and has a sequel in early development at StudioCanal.

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE – Sam (Karen Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl – Emily (Chloe Coleman). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates, The Librarians (Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Carla Gugino). These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Marvel’s ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ Officially Wraps Filming – Chris Hemsworth Posts New Beefcake Set Photo With Taika Waititi In His Korg Costume

Marvel’s next big film Thor: Love & Thunder has officially wrapped production today as it was announced by both actor Chris Hemsworth and director Taika Waititi on Instagram, both posting a nifty beefcake photo of the two of them on the set. Taika wearing his Korg costume and Hemsworth looking super buff after being fat Thor in Avengers: Endgame.

HEMSWORTH: “That’s a wrap on Thor Love and Thunder, it’s also national don’t flex day so I thought this super relaxed photo was appropriate. The film is gonna be batshit crazy off the wall funny and might also pull a heart string or two. Lots of love, lots of thunder! Thank you to all the cast and crew who made this another incredible Marvel journey. Buckle in, get ready and see ya in cinemas!!”

The film’s cast consists of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster aka Lady Thor, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Christian Bale as Gorr The God Butcher, Tessa Thompson as King Valkyrie of New Asgard, Russell Crowe as Zeus, Matt Damon as fake Loki, Melissa McCarthy as fake Hela, Sam Neill as fake Odin, Luke Hemsworth as fake Thor, Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Dave Bautista as Drax The Destroyer, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Taika as the lovable Korg, and Sean Gunn as Kraglin.

It will introduce the cosmic beings known as The Olympians with Russell Crowe playing their leader Zesus, it means that Marvel is likely priming audiences to usher in Hercules aka The Prince of Power to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Production was taking place at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the facility had been previously used for Destin Daniel Cretton’s Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings. It was recently revealed that the film’s cinematographer was Baz Idoine (The Mandalorian).

Thor: Love & Thunder will open in theaters on May 6, 2022.

SOURCE: CHRIS HEMSWORTH