Most Marvel films end with a title card saying, “[Insert Hero] will return.” It’s a way to show the audience that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a living, breathing franchise with no end in sight. But apparently, at the end of “Thor: Love & Thunder,” filmmaker Taika Waititi and star Chris Hemsworth were both surprised to see “Thor will return.” It was news to them.
Speaking to Insider, Taika Waititi explained that he has no current plans to return to the ‘Thor’ franchise after the just-released ‘Love & Thunder.’ In fact, when he and Chris Hemsworth watched the film and saw the tease about the character coming back in another project, both were actually surprised. They didn’t know Marvel Studios threw that in there.
“I saw it in the theater and I was like, ‘Oh, shit. Really?’ Even Chris was like, ‘What?’ But, of course he’ll be back. He’s the best character. I mean, I may be a little biased, but he’s the most fun to watch.”
Waititi isn’t wrong. Of course, Thor will return. In the days leading up to the release of “Thor: Love & Thunder,” Chris Hemsworth has minced no words when asked about whether or not he would like to continue to wield the magical hammer. He definitely wants to make it happen. And judging by the recent box office receipts, Marvel fans are happy to see Hemsworth continue as Thor.
But, for Taika Waititi to return, the filmmaker says it would have to be something very “unexpected.” You know, like turning the colorful, cosmic, Space Viking franchise into a black and white indie drama.
He continued, “Now, I don’t know what would be next. I would definitely do one, but only if Chris did it. But it would need to be something surprising and unexpected for me to want to do it. Like what would be the new take? The battles and all the fighting is fine, but I would want something that feels unexpected when it comes to the story. Like making just a $5 million movie with no fighting at all, just Thor on a road trip. Like ‘Nebraska.’”
Clearly, Marvel Studios isn’t going to spend money on a ‘Thor’ film without fighting. And you have to assume Waititi is being a bit cheeky with that response. However, after two films (‘Ragnarok’ and ‘Love & Thunder’) which feel very much like similar adventures, it is probably time for another course correction for the “Thor” franchise. So, maybe not a complete juxtaposition like “Nebraska,” but maybe Waititi and Hemsworth have a new trick up their sleeve.
“Thor: Love & Thunder” is in theaters now.