Thor Love and Thunder
 

Taika Waititi is returning to the many worlds of Thor.

Waititi has inked a deal to write and direct a follow-up to his 2017 smash, Thor: Ragnarok.



But his boarding of what would be a fourth installment of the Marvel franchise comes at a cost: Warner Bros.' long-gestating adaptation of Japanese manga, Akira.

That project, which was penciled for a May 21, 2021 release and had Waititi testing actors in a worldwide search for talent, is being put on pause indefinitely as the two projects' production dates began to bump up against one another. Script development concerns caused Akira to push back its shooting start and while some of those have been addressed, say sources, the dates were now too close for comfort.

Warners' next step for Akira is unclear but the project now seems to be in flux. Several sources have said that Warners is keen on keeping Waititi involved for the long-term and hopes to see him pick up Akira after Thor 4.

Waititi brought his own stamp to the Thor movies with Ragnarok, infusing the movies with an idiosyncratic wit and a humane outlook with movies such as What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Audiences responded to the tune of almost $854 million worldwide while critics’ raves put the movie at 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The move also rejuvenated what had been a rare declining franchise performer for Marvel.

Chris Hemsworth is expected to reprise his career-defining role as the Asgardian god of thunder.

Next up for Waititi is Jojo Rabbit, a unique Holocaust drama he directed for Fox Searchlight, which opens Oct. 18. Scarlett Johansson stars in the picture with Waititi portraying a twisty take on Adolf Hitler.

He is repped by CAA and Manage-ment.


https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/he...thor-4-1224464

Shoot! I much rather see his take on Akira. Thor 4 should please many people though.

That blows any chance of me liking this one. I thought Ragnarok sucked.

Huh. Interesting.

Uuuuugh, booooo! Ragnarok was trash.

It makes sense to do another movie since Iron Man and Captain America don't really have anymore stories to tell and Thor is looking for new adventures. Plus, I really liked Waitti's work in Thor: Ragnarok and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I don't know if Bruce Banner/Hulk will come back but if he does I hope that Ruffalo will give a performance similar to the one in the third 'Thor' film instead of the ones he gave during Avengers: Infinity War and the very beginning of Avengers: Endgame. It just came across as too hammy and cartoonish during those times.

Ragnarok felt almost like a parody at times so I hope this is slightly more serious. Seriously the last movie almost felt like it was making fun of the characters.

I thought Ragnarok was one of the better MCU films. The MCU being something I love as a whole, but have plenty of grievances with at the same time.

Unfortunately, a large chunk of the MCU films feel pretty safe, sterile, and predictable to me. While Ragnarok doesn't really escape from that, I think it at least leans into the strengths of the MCU by being charming and funny.

As always, I think expectations play a large part in personal reception to something. So it's also worth mentioning that I didn't even bother to watch the first two Thor films. I like Hulk enough and the reviews were great, so I gave Ragnarok a watch and was pleasantly surprised. I don't have the perspective of a long-time Thor fan, just a casual viewer when it comes to Thor.

Ragnarok was one of the best MCU movies, so bring on more Waititi.

Ehh... are we sure Hemsworth would even be the star of this one? The way things are "positioned" at the end of Thor 3 and now Endgame... it seems like they're setting up an "important" new direction.

I think it's safe to assume Chris Hemsworth will be the star. It could just as heavily feature Valkyrie and other characters though.

The way to get my interest is Beta Ray Bill, who I do think will have a prominent role.

Thor Ragnarok is the best Thor, so I’m glad he’s returning.

I'm not sure there's any version of this where Valkyrie doesn't become Female Thor. And think about it. You really think Thor will be the first MCU franchise to get a fourth movie without heavily shaking things up?

Also, I don't know why people are surprised about Akira. When Ghost in the Shell bombed and Alita only mayyyyybe broke even (and with James Cameron involved, no less), Akira's prospects became nill by anyone even considering investing in its production.

They should make Akira an animated cgi film much like Lupin the 3rd’s upcoming movie. Live action never look as good tbh.

Who the f*ck even asked for a live action Akira? Like, seriously, what's the point? It's hailed as THE anime movie masterpiece and critically respected in it's own right. There's actually no point in making it because it's something that should exist only in the medium it was intended for and perfected in- being manga and later anime.

Fair enough. I guess I’m just morbidly curious as to how it would turn out. That’s enough for me.

I just realised, this makes Thor the longest sub-series in the MCU (aside from Avengers, which are entirely team-ups). We're obviously not going to get Iron Man 4 or Captain America 4 (unless some other character takes up the mantle or it's just prequels). A fourth Spider-Man, Ant-man and Guardians could happen but none have a third out yet. Captain Marvel, Black Panther and Doctor Strange still haven't gotten their second movie yet. Black Widow, Eternals and Shang-Chi are still in development. And there's no chance in hell Hulk 2 is ever happening.

I think it’s likely we’re going to get Cap 4 with Sam and Bucky.

That's what the Disney+ show is for.

I really wish that weren’t a thing. Just make a new movie, damnit. It eliminates the risk of these shows being ignored/treated as sub-canon.

And yeah, I know they’re saying they won’t be- but who really knows with Disney?