Tag Archives: Thor: Ragnarok

Stunt Royal Zoë Bell Embracing Collaboration

Stunt Royal Zoë Bell Embracing Collaboration

It’s been 20 years since New Zealander Zoë Bell arrived in Los Angeles, where she soon took her stunt double career to another level. The Waiheke Island-native made her name after the iconic stunt collaboration…

New Zealand Filmmakers Showcase Local Perspectives

New Zealand Filmmakers Showcase Local Perspectives

Years of big-budget location shoots have given rise to a thriving New Zealand film and television sector. Hollywood Reporter correspondent Patrick Brzeski examines how a “happy confluence of preparation and opportunity is giving New…

Ruban Nielson and Taika Waititi Talk NZ Roots

Ruban Nielson and Taika Waititi Talk NZ Roots

Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Ruban Nielson and filmmaker Taika Waititi come together over Skype to talk #PolynesianExcellence, and how their New Zealand roots help them keep it real, with Dazed magazine’s…

Thor: Ragnarok’s Hidden New Zealand and Australia References

Thor: Ragnarok’s Hidden New Zealand and Australia References

“There are fans who are going to want to come back for more just to notice every detail that New Zealand director Taika Waititi stuck in”  Thor: Ragnarok, writes Luke Y. Thompson in an…

New Zealand’s Alternative to Sexiest Man Alive

New Zealand’s Alternative to Sexiest Man Alive

“You don’t have to be a Hemsworth brother or a famously stylish soccer icon to – at least on our list.” In lieu of People’s 2017 choice of country…

Is Making a Marvel Movie Good for Directors?

Is Making a Marvel Movie Good for Directors?

Filmmakers like New Zealander Taika Waititi can keep never-ending movie sequels from feeling stale, while also attracting critical approval. But are the bonuses that come with Marvel’s largesse enough to combat the downsides of…

Taika Waititi Puts His Stamp on the Thor Franchise

Taika Waititi Puts His Stamp on the Thor Franchise

In many ways, Taika Waititi neatly fits the mould of a lively director plucked from indiedom and placed at the centre of a franchise. He’s stylish, funny and confident, Dan Kois writes in a…

Thor: Ragnarok Marvel’s Best Film to Date

Thor: Ragnarok Marvel’s Best Film to Date

Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok has an “oddly beautiful scuffed-plastic aesthetic”; it’s “funny, charming, dazzling, gorgeously designed, and full of actors you already like,” with Waititi managing “to finally imbue Marvel’s dullest Avenger with a…

Taika Waititi Best Dressed Director in Hollywood

Taika Waititi Best Dressed Director in Hollywood

Taika Waititi is a fashion superhero, according to Degen Pener writing for The Hollywood Reporter. The proof: When the New Zealand native and director of November’s Thor: Ragnarok showed up at Comic-Con in July,…

Start Getting Excited About Taika Waititi’s Thor

Start Getting Excited About Taika Waititi’s Thor

The Taika Waititi-directed Thor: Ragnarok might just be “one of the greatest Marvel movies ever,” according to Forbes contributor Dani Di Placido. It’s shorter, a lot was improvised, and it’s embracing the insanity of…

Taika Waititi Confirms Thor Cameo

Taika Waititi Confirms Thor Cameo

“With a very popular trailer already out, Marvel fans probably thought they already knew everything there was to know about the cast of Thor: Ragnarok,” according to…

First Thor: Ragnarok Trailer Released

First Thor: Ragnarok Trailer Released

The first trailer for Thor: Ragnarok, which was directed by Taika Waititi, has been released, as reported in an article in The Guardian. “Following on from the events of Avengers: Age…

Deliberating on the Taika-Esqueness of Thor

Deliberating on the Taika-Esqueness of Thor

Hunt for the Wilderpeople director Taika Waititi talks to the Guardian about joining the Marvel universe with his interpretation of Thor, which is due out in the United States in November. As far as whetting…

Taika Waititi named New Zealander of the Year

Taika Waititi named New Zealander of the Year

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople director Taika Waititi has been named as the 2017 New Zealander of the Year,” as reported on TV3.ie. “I just found out the news. Wow, amazing. Thank you so…

Michael Jackson Chimp Movie Attracts Taika Waititi

Michael Jackson Chimp Movie Attracts Taika Waititi

Thor: Ragnarok director New Zealander Taika Waititi has signed on to direct Bubbles, a stop-motion animated film about Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee, alongside Emmy Award-winning Mark Gustafson. “It’s an idea that fascinates me and one…

Taika Waititi Talks Thor: Ragnarok

Taika Waititi Talks Thor: Ragnarok

“It came as a large surprise to many when Marvel announced that it would be handing Thor: Ragnarok’s directorial reigns over to New Zealand film director, actor and comedian Taika Waititi,” writes Tiny Diapana…

Star Trek’s Karl Urban Meets Hero Harrison Ford

Star Trek’s Karl Urban Meets Hero Harrison Ford

A perk of working for producer J.J. Abrams on Star Trek Beyond was the chance for Wellington-born actor Karl Urban, 44, to visit his boss’ other set. And for Urban, a lifelong Harrison Ford…

Taika Waititi on Marvel’s First Female Supervillain

Taika Waititi on Marvel’s First Female Supervillain

In October New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi “landed the biggest job of his career when Marvel handed him the reins to their superhero threequel Thor: Ragnarok,” writes Jen Yamato for The Daily…

Karl Urban to Star in Thor: Ragnarok

Karl Urban to Star in Thor: Ragnarok

Kiwi actor Karl Urban will join the cast in the upcoming Taika Waititi-helmed Thor: Ragnarok as Skurge. “It’s a fantastic story and a really great character who has got a wonderful arc. I’m super excited…

Taika Waititi Proves to Be Box-Office Gold in NZ

Taika Waititi Proves to Be Box-Office Gold in NZ

“Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi rules the box office in his homeland of New Zealand,” writes Pip Bulbeck for The Hollywood Reporter. Two of his films are now the top New Zealand films at…

Thor director Taika Waititi an Indie Powerhouse

Thor director Taika Waititi an Indie Powerhouse

“As a director, got an impeccable ability to balance painful earnestness with biting humour,” Angela Watercutter writes for WIRED. “And as a comedy writer and actor, he produces jokes that land…