There is a lot of attention currently on Spider-Man: Homecoming with it just starting production, but in the next few weeks, Marvel will be kicking off the start of yet another film. Starting next year, Marvel will release three films a year with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 set to be the first release of 2017. When the year is coming to a close, Thor: Ragnarok will be released and when filming does start on July 4th, we should start to gain a better understanding of what the film will be about.
Marvel has assembled a talented and rising director in Taika Waititi and has surrounded him with an incredible cast. The likes of Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson are just two of the new faces we will meet in Ragnarok, and both present Marvel with the chance to further diversify the universe and better represent the world. Blanchett is set to play the villainous Hela, and will be the first lead female villain that the MCU has seen. Waititi was asked about what it is like to be responsible for this in an interview with The Daily Beast and is excited to have this opportunity.
This film has [Marvel’s] first female villain, and that’s exciting for me. I want to see more females onscreen and not just dudes. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s a lot of it in the world. We need more representation of all kinds. In all seriousness, from what I’ve seen—although it’s not like I’ve been around a lot of studios—they are aware of it, and they’re very conscious and vocal. I’ve heard people say, ‘We need to make them better.’
Marvel will also be race-swapping Valkyrie, a traditionally white character, by casting Thompson in the role instead. There has been no shortage of people calling for Marvel to diversify their casts, which has been a focal point for Spider-Man: Homecoming, and casting the best person for the role regardless of color is the best way to do just that. Waititi is not only happy to have a more diverse representation of Valkyrie, but also having female heroes in general, not to mention the first African American female hero.
Everyone’s aware of the need [for POC casting] and also the need for female characters. But female representation is something I feel is even still behind in the conversation about representation. It’s something that’s equally important to my mind. So it’s great having female heroes.
For casual film fans, seeing Waititi’s name on the credits for Ragnarok likely would not make them more or less interested in seeing the film. That said, he has proved previously with What We Do In the Shadows and his upcoming film Hunt for the Wilderpeople that he has what it takes to be a great director. Still, it must have been hard to get this job, with him jokingly explaining his meetings were mostly about proving he is a real person.
No, I had to go in and talk to them about the film and just get to know them. You have to basically prove to them that you’re not a psycho who just made their own IMDb page. That you’re a real person and know what you’re talking about.
I think it’s more about your personality and if you can work with these people. I think that’s secretly what it’s about. Will you be OK hanging around at a party with these people?
I am very excited to see Waititi’s take on Thor, Hulk, and the MCU as a whole, plus his inherently unique style paired with the always obscure Jeff Goldblum should be amazing. In everything he has said since he landed the job, he has continued to raise my excitement for the film since it sounds like he just gets it. He knows what we want. He knows what Marvel wants. He knows what he wants. Now it’s time for him to piece it all together. Let us know if this got you more excited for Ragnarok in the comments below!
Thor: Ragnarok is scheduled to hit theaters November 3, 2017.
Source: The Daily Beast.
