Thor: Ragnarok Director Played A Total of Four Roles

Taika Waititi played several other characters in Thor: Ragnarok aside from his scene-stealing turn as Korg. The director not only interjected his filmmaking sensibilities to the latest Marvel movie but also himself, literally, in several forms as he reveals that he did a few more motion-capture roles in the project. The God of Thunder’s third go at a standalone film is continuously raking in ticket sales all over the globe. After exceeding expectations with a $121 milliong opening weekend, the threequel is expected to once again top the box office for the second week indicating that more and more people are either up for a repeat showing or are intrigued by the great reviews that the Marvel project has been receiving.


Much of this renewed interest in the Chris Hemsworth-led Marvel sub-franchise is credited on Waititi’s bold vision to reinvigorate the film series. It is no secret that Thor’s standalone saga has not performed on the same level as Iron Man’s or Captain America’s. That is, until Ragnarok came along with its psychedelic visuals and witty humor — something that a lot of fans can get behind.


As part of the continued press coverage for Ragnarok, Empire Online spoke with Waititi, and the director shared a couple of set and production secrets – one includes him playing other characters on top of the now fan-favorite Korg. “I am one of the heads on the three-headed alien, this character called Haju [this may not be correct spelling],” he shared. “I’m the head on the right. And I’m also the motion-capture for Surtur.” However, while he did mo-cap for the fire demon who fulfilled the prophecy of Asgard’s end, it was American actor Clancy Brown that provided its voice. Additionally, he also played a stand-in for The Hulk for some pick-up scenes after Mark Ruffalo wrapped production.


While we don’t know where Haju is (we presume he is in that Asgardian ship traveling to Earth), when Surtur’s coming back into the fold, and when Ruffalo won’t be available to do Hulk, Korg is enough character for Waititi to stick around longer in the Marvel wheelhouse even though he won’t be helming any movie from the franchise anytime soon and frankly, we don’t think anyone is complaining. The rock character has quickly gained traction – something that Marvel Studios didn’t miss – that is why plans for him and his buddy Miek to return in future MCU projects has already been set up.


Waititi is not the first Marvel director to also do some acting on the side in the feature film he is working on. Iron Man helmer, Jon Favreau, may not have directed an MCU film since 2010, but he continues to have ties to the franchise, reprising his role as Happy Hogan, Tony Stark’s trusted right-hand man, with his next appearance already in the docket for Avengers: Infinity War. The same could happen with Waititi in the long run.