“Thor: Ragnarok” Press Conference Brings Out Cast and Filmmakers Including Chris Hemsworth and Kevin Feige

Hi everyone!

We were invited to the Thor: Ragnarok press conference in Beverly Hills earlier this month. The newest Marvel film releases on November 2nd, 2017 and has received glowing reviews (including from our correspondent). Participants in the press conference were Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Cate Blanchett (Hela), Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster), Tom Hiddleston  (Loki), Taika Waititi ( Director/Korg), Karl Urban ( Skurge), Rachel House (Topaz), and Kevin Feige (Producer). This was a fast paced press conference that lasted for about a half hour, with the cast throwing one liners to each other constantly at times.

Before reading the rest of the article, here is the press conference. There are spoilers, so you may want to save it until after seeing Thor: Ragnarok.

The first question went to Hemsworth, asking what makes this Thor film different than the others. Hemsworth gave the nod to director Taika Waititi, and his “crazy, wonderful brain”. The cast wanted to turn out something different and Hemsworth called what Waititi did a reinvention, encouraging the actors to explore and take risks. Hemsworth said that “it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had on a set, and the film that I feel most proud of”. To that, Cate Blanchett turned to Hemsworth, and to laughs said, “We love you, Chris”.

Waititi was asked what the process was like for him, after bringing an “independent sensibility” to the film. The director seemed surprised that he was asked, with much audience laughter as he recalled, “…obviously I thought that Marvel had lost their minds, so they’re just hiring anyone”. Waititi then took on the question on more seriously, talking about how the movie was a “monster” and a “beast, but what was most important was what was in front of him, just like in any other film. “I just focused down on what I was used to, which is what’s in front of the camera”.

Feige expounded on what Hemsworth had said about Waititi and also about the rest of the cast, how they were the right fit. Feige referenced Hemsworth for his answer to the question from earlier, and then added to it that they wanted a new sensibility. He said that there was still the “epic action”, talked about the comedic capabilities of Hemsorth and about Taika giving them the confidence to explore.

Blanchett had some of the biggest laughs, including talking about how – except for working with the guys in the film – “the chance to finally, in my deep middle age, to get fit and wear that much lycra was really exciting for me.”

Waititi almost didn’t make it to the first meeting with Feige because due to losing a passport, and what he had for Feige helps define the film. Led Zeppelins “Immigrant Song” is part of the trailer and in Thor: Ragnarok – a film that is on its way to a huge opening.