Marvel’s upcoming Thor movie is the current center of attention, with a director who might seem unusual for a comic book adaptation – as he’s been good with other kinds of movies – and a top notch cast.
New Zealand native Taika Waititi is at the helm of Thor: Ragnarok, and the cast includes names such as Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, and Karl Urban. Waititi is known for What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Boy.
We hope he’ll do a good job with Thor: Ragnarok, even if his cast choices have become controversial. In the role of Valkyrie, who is white in the comics, Waititi cast Creed’s Tessa Thompson, a mixed-race actress.
To avoid criticism, or at least to calm those who are upset, the director explained his choice in Comic Book Resources:
Right from the start, we wanted to diversify the cast, and it's hard when you're working with Vikings. You want to be more inclusive and provide a broader representation. And at that point, you have to look at the source material as a very loose inspiration. And then take it from there and go with your gut.
Tess is the best actress for Valkyrie
“Just because the character was blonde and white in the comic book. That doesn't matter, ” the director says. Photo: flickeringmyth.com
Say, “You know what? None of that stuff matters. Just because the character was blonde and white in the comic book. That doesn't matter. That's not what [that character] is about.” People forget that. Die-hard fans will say, “That's not really authentic to the comics.” But as soon as they watch the movie, and they're involved in the story, and actually what's happening, everybody forgets.
Waititi continues:
The fact that we even have to keep having this conversation is ridiculous. Because we keep forgetting. Unless it's the topic of the film, it just shouldn't even be "” what do we even care? I think the story is king, and you want the best person for the job. And Tessa tested against "” we cast a very broad net, and Tess was the best person.
Taika Waititi guarantees that his choice will not affect the movie in any way, that the character is more than her physical appearance, and the story is deeper than this aspect.
