Taika Waititi reflects on early criticism of Thor: Ragnarok and regains fans with Mandalorian work

Taika Waititi responds to backlash over Thor: Ragnarok, saying fans didn’t know what they wanted until he delivered.

In a new interview, Taika Waititi opened up about the early criticism he faced when he took the helm of Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

Despite being called a "ruiner" of the character by Marvel fans, Waititi didn't feel the pressure, noting that Thor: The Dark World (2013) had already significantly impacted the god of thunder’s reputation.

“They said, 'He's going to ruin Thor,'” Waititi recalled. “And I thought, 'What, you mean again?’” The director dismissed the negative feedback, confident that he would deliver a fresh take on the beloved superhero. He even joked with fans, saying they didn't know what they wanted until he gave it to them.

Waititi's unexpected leap into the Marvel universe came out of necessity, as the director previously admitted he had no interest in superhero films. "I was poor, I had a second child, and I thought, ‘You know what, this would be a great opportunity to feed these children,’" he explained.

The director also reflected on his positive reception with The Mandalorian, which helped him regain credibility with geek culture. He recalled his excitement when he directed stormtroopers for the Star Wars show, revealing how it fulfilled a lifelong dream.

Although Waititi mentioned his subsequent Thor film, Love and Thunder (2022), he kept it light, humorously pointing out Chris Hemsworth’s jacked physique and his admiration for actors Natalie Portman and Christian Bale.