Taika Waititi (2016)

Hey Taika, did you ever get made fun of in this industry for being Polynesian? I'm making films in LA, I'm young and haven't had a chance to prove myself yet, but people don't take me seriously. I get called Lilo and Moana or get made fun of for being small. If it happened to you, did you just ignore it?

Howdy Taika, Kevin Feige said that Thor: Ragnarok would be the Winter Soldier of the MCU's Phase 3 movies. Care to elaborate on that?

Hi Taika! I saw "What We Do in the Shadows" and loved it! I'm really excited for Thor: Ragnarok & I've got a couple little questions:

1) Will Thor: Ragnarok meld well with the previous two movies, or will it stand on its own?

2) Can we expect some of the same brand of humor in Thor? If so, were you ever given a hard time about certain scenes or lines?

3) Why does the title card for Thor look like it was pulled from a retro video game?

4) What's happening with We're Wolves?

5) Would you like some bisghetti?

Hey Taika,

Do you know how much of your original script of Moana Disney has used for the finished film?

Big fan, love all your movies!

Given you've gotten 20000 questions about a shirtless Tom Hiddleston or Chris Hemsworth, my question for you is: will there be a shirtless Anthony Hopkins in Ragnarok?

Considering the retro logo, can we expect an 80's vibe in Thor: Ragnarok?

I'm going to the grocery store- you need anything?

How would you cast Jemaine Clement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

If you were in a mall or public area, would you mind if fans came up to talk to you?



Just wondering because was with some friends at Riccarton Mall in ChCh and we saw you but were too star-struck to walk up to you.

I had thought we would go see Kung Fu Panda 3 but the mere sight of you inspired me to head straight into Wilderpeople. Loved every second of it.

Taika, your films are incredible! You make me so proud to be a Kiwi! Any advice for young NZ screenwriters looking to break into the industry?

Hey Taika! Hunt for the Wilderpeople has ended up being my favourite film of this year, and What We Do in the Shadows was my favourite of last year. You’re good at your job.

What have you planned for Thor: Ragnarok to make it stand out from the other Marvel films?
Also, compared to your other films, how humorous will it be?

Hi Taika, what's the most impressive film you've seen this year that not enough people have seen?

How many takes did you guys have to do of Deacon doing his sexy dance for his friends in What We Do In The Shadows, because you couldn't stop laughing? Because I couldn't stop laughing.

Hi Taiki! Thanks for doing this.

How involved have you been with Disney's Moana? I read that you wrote the first draft of the script for it, but have you been involved with any of the production?

Hi Taika,

You have been working with an impressive cast.

What is it like to work with big names like Anthony Hopkins, Jeff Goldblum and Cate Blanchett?

Just wanted to say Eagle vs Shark was a fantastic film. Really spoke to me as an awkward teenager. Would love to hear any fond memories or little known facts about it?

(HFTWP is also pretty special so kudos for that as well!)

Hey!

I submitted an AMA request for you a couple of weeks back, and I’m super thrilled that you’re doing an AMA now. I want you to know I’m a big fan of your films, and just of you in general - And I’ve watched What We Do in the Shadows about five times with different people each time, and dragged a big group of people to see Hunt for the Wilderpeople in the cinema, so I’m doing my best to spread the Taika love here in Ireland.

These are the questions I asked in my original AMA request, you can answer them or ignore them, I don’t mind:

1. How different is it to write a screenplay for an animated featured compared to a life-action film?
2. When writing Moana, did you mainly write it as a Maori film or did you have to do research into how Maui is represented in different versions of polynesian mythology?
3. What has your experience been working with Disney on Moana and Thor: Ragnarok?
4. How different is it to be directing a superhero film full of big names when most of your films so far have been mainly acted in by your friends?
5. When you were making Hunt for the Wilderpeople, did you expect it to become as successful as it has been?

And here are a couple of questions I’d just like to ask you now:

• What is your favourite New Zealand made film that you weren’t involved in?
• Which character out of any of your films do you think is the most like you?

And the last question I have is this - What advice would you give to someone who is moving to Wellington?

(Also, here is a picture I drew/painted of you, which is probably silly to include but I don’t often get to show pictures I draw of famous people to the people themselves so I’m taking advantage, sorry.)

Is Jermaine Clement a good hugger? He looks like a good hugger.

Will you be doing a press tour in the states for

How often do you ask Sam Neil about his more out there movies?(Possession, Event Horizon, In the mouth of Madness)

Chris Hemsworth is really funny. How much of his comedy chops are utilised in THOR: RAGNAROK?

Whose idea what the short of Thor during Civil War?

I have a few questions if that's alright!

• How much influence/involvement did MARVEL have on the plot leading into infinity war?
• Do you regret not using your birth name for some of your earlier work(and would you elaborate the reasoning behind that)?
• Was it your decision to completely change the Thor logo and to leave out the "Ö" and if so- what inspired the style?
• Who did you like working with the most and who would you like to work with one day?
• Were you interested in doing a Thor movie or a Planet Hulk movie?
• Any future plans on a "What we do in the Shadows" sequel/spin off besides the rumored buddy-cop-tv-show?

BONUS Question:

• What's your least favourite number?

Thank you for being an incredible Filmmaker.

For me Thor: Ragnarök is currently on the same anticipation level as Episode VIII-

no pressure.

And^thank^you.

How polite is Tom Hiddleston? How cheeky is Chris Hemsworth?

Do you believe in the skuxx life choosing you?

Hey Taika! Thanks for doing this. Im a huge fan and I was just wondering if you have any advice for an 18 year old aspiring tv and movie director who cant go to film school and wants to work in the industry? Also hunt for the wilderpeople was an amazing movie, cant wait for thor!! Ps. I can definitely be a PA for any of your projects lol

Hey Taika! As a child I also had a pet goat like Alamein Jr. in Boy. When he goes to hide money in Leaf’s pen I was screaming at the TV “Don’t leave the cash in the pen! Leaf is gonna eat it! THE GOAT IS GONNA EAT IT!”. I was hooked into watching the rest of your movies from that point on and have not been disappointed.

In Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, children and animals are largely featured in both of them, and I’ve heard that those are the two hardest things to work with as a director. My question is, what has been your experience in working with young actors and animals? Are there any hilarious/frustrating moments that you encounter with them that you don’t have to deal with in adult/human actors?

Hey, Dad! These are like a string of the most random questions but thought I should ask anyway:

• Do you like, actually watch Marvel Cinematic Universe movies? And if you do, which one is your favourite?
• I'm a great fan of your beard can you promise me not to shave it ever unless it's very necessary to do so?
• It's been a while since you were last seen hanging out with Jemaine, do you ever miss him? (Also please hang out together soon I miss seeing you guys together)
• Google says you're 6'2ft tall (that's approx. 187/188 in cm) can you confirm whether or not this is true?

Sorry for asking such weird questions, I love you and I hope you're having lots of fun. Have a good day!

Hi Taika!
Did you know that your name means magic in Finnish?

What is it like being in the presence of Cate Blanchett?

Hey Taika! Huge fan.
My family moved from New Zealand to Canada when I was a kid and I miss Jaffas every day. If you found out tomorrow you could never got back to NZ, what New Zealand specific thing would you miss the most? (Aside from friends/family)

Hello Taika. In Making Thor 3, did you make efforts to make it similar or dissimilar to the previous Thor films? As in, did you try to maintain the same elements, or did you try to make it more unique? Thanks

Thanks for doing this Taika! What does Kevin Feige smell like?

If you could go back in time to tell your younger self something, what would it be?

Who would win in a fight between Blade and the vampire roommates from What We Do in the Shadows?

Why Mark Mothersbaugh was chosen to write Thor: Ragnarok score? And are you a Devo fan?

Kia ora, Taika! Why Alessi Brothers - Seabird at the end of Wilderpeople? That song is my absolute jam and it was such a sweet surprise! Chur!

I have been recommending Wilderpeople to every single person I talk to about movies. Y'all made a fantastic film I will be watching over and over. How glorious has it been working with Cate Blanchett?

Are you open to an Avengers/What We Do... crossover? I am. How about a graphic novel or comic book adaptation of one your works?! WRITTEN BY YOU!

Why does Jemaine like to wear striped shirts over striped shirts? Also, how long has it been since you two last saw each other? Thank you, I hope you have a very lovely day!

1. What was the coolest shot you were able to pull off on Thor: Ragnarok (before VFX work) due to the gear available on a big-budget flick?

2. Do you have a library card?

3. Will your Thor film retain any semblance of the series' Shakespearesque-ishness?

4. Does it annoy you that you've made, um, three? Let's go with three. No, it might have been four. Does it annoy you that you've directed three-ish other movies, most of which did pretty well with critics, and yet there are so many questions here about a guy with big muscles who waves his tool in the air? (Thor and his Hammer. I'm talking about Thor and his hammer.)

5. What are some of the best traditional Maori foods?

6. Which movies would you recommend for learning about what kinds of things don't work in a movie?

Hey Taika, Boy and What We Do In The Shadows are two of my favourite films! Hoping to see Wilderpeople soon!

My question is - what kind of challenges did the scale of production for Thor: Ragnarok pose compared to
your previous films?

PS I was sitting here an hour ago refreshing the page because I can't do timezone maths.

You replied to me on Twitter once. Can I tell people we are friends?

Hi Taika, just wanted to ask what movies influenced What We Do in The Shadows? I love that movie, one of few that has my ribs aching when I watch it! Thanks!

Hi Taika,
I just wanted to say that I discovered your movies about a year and a half ago and they saved my life. I hit a bit of a rough patch dealing with depression and anxiety but when I discovered your films, I found them to be therapeutic. I love that they can make me both laugh and cry and also escape from reality. So I just wanted to thank you for making such amazing art and doing what you're doing and that I can't wait to see what you do with the new Thor!! :) Also, which of your films was your favorite to work on? I noticed you have a lot of repeating cast members, who is your favorite to work with?
Thanks,
Grace (from Texas)

what are your favorite tv shows at the moment?

(Aside from your own movies) what are some of your favorite New Zealand or Polynesian-produced films?

Hi Taika! There are rumours floating around about a Doctor Strange post-credits sequence. Will there be DS references in Ragnarok?

How difficult was it to fit your vision for Thor: Ragnarok into the existing continuity of the MCU?

Hi! I rely enjoyed the Thor and Darryl sketch and I wanted to ask if there is any chance for another one with any of the other avengers?

sorry for my bad enlish

How skuxx are you?

Hi Taika,

Thanks for doing this.

Which character or actor is going to steal the show in your opinion?

Taika! It was great meeting you at Unitec in Auckland!
Was the person tripping over outside Cinesaurus Rex in Eagle vs Shark intentional or a legitimate accident?
Also: what do you normally eat for breakfast? Your scrambled egg recipe is excellent.

So Taika, now that you're almost done with Thor Ragnorak, do you feel you've done everything you wanted to do with the character(s) in the film, or would you want to come back for another round?

Can you say anything about the overall tone of Thor: Ragnarok?
Are there any characters you wish you could have gotten in the movie?

Two questions:
1). How are you able to get such good performances out of child actors?

2). With Thor: Ragnarok, did the bigger scale of the project affect the way you direct?

Thanks for doing this, I'm a HUGE fan of everything you've done!

how do i become a runner in the industry?

Hi Taika!

I have a couple of questions:

1. Are Chris Hemsworth's biceps bigger in person?
2. What are your favorite bands/artists to listen to?

Greetings, mortal.

You have appeared in many of the films you have directed. Will you be making an appearance in Thor: Ragnarok?

Also are there any attractive horses in Thor: Ragnarok? I am asking for a friend....

Hello Mr. Waititi. After seeing What We do in the Shadows I instantly fell in love with your filmmaking and acting. A testimony to your acting skills is the fact that as a German, I thought while watching you in What we do in the Shadows that you must have German heritage.

I recently had the pleasure oh watching Hunt for the Wilderpeople and loved the stylistic look of it. I am wondering if you plan on making this type of framing, blocking and camera work your stylistic touch (think Wes Anderson) or if it was just for this film?

Hi!

I think you're the most inspired directing choice in the MCU so far. A few questions:

1. To what extent have you moulded the screenplay into your own thing while making the film, assuming you didn't have a hand in writing it. If you did, how extensive was your involvement in the writing?

2. Regarding artistic freedom, how much interference did you face while shooting the film? Some is to be expected regarding continuity and stuff, but was there any tension during the shoot?

I'm incredibly excited for Ragnarok, which to be honest wasn't something I thought I'd say before finding out you were directing.
Thanks!

Mr. Waititi,

One of the great challenges with Thor is that his pathos tends to be subtle, especially next to Loki who is a big screaming diva about his issues. This earns him the reputation of a lunk and a dullard. Was it difficult to serve Thor's character while giving Loki his proper due?

How come the boy in Wilderpeople didn't lose weight while on the run in the wilderness? Seems to me living like that would make him shed pounds and lean up.

What things did you do as a teenager that helped you get to where you are today? And would would you suggest an aspiring filmmaker today does with their life after high school?

Beyonce or Jeff Goldblum? This is an important life or death question, Taika.

Hello, Taika! It's 5AM here, I woke up to thank you so much for making Hunt for the Wilderpeople!!! It is still my favourite movie of the year. New Zealand looks uh-mah-zing!

Also, how do you take your tea? I like mine hot and English.

What advice would you give to young Australians who want to be successful directors like you?

You and fellow kiwis, Jemaine and Bret have worked on a lot of Disney films in the past few years (Muppets, BFG, Moana, Thor), is that connected in any way?

Hey Taika, What is one really under rated film that you feel gets a bad rap? cheers

Taika, What is your favourite tarantino film?

Hi Taika! How did becoming a father influence your work--specifically the dynamic between Ricky and Hec in HFTWP?
(Thank you so much for doing this!)