Director Taika Waititi discusses Hulk talking, conscious in ‘Thor Ragnarok’

Director Taika Waititi spoke out about Marvel movies, directing Thor: Ragnarok and what fans will see, particularly from Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk which is confirmed to be appearing.

Thor: Ragnarok will find Chris Hemsworth’s titular character and the green Avenger galavanting across outer space on a quest to save existence from the titular Norse Armageddon. Waititi discussed the current status of the film with HitFix and he chatted about whether or not the Hulk will be getting an expansive vocabulary in time for his next appearance.

“It’s interesting, because at the moment, there’s a big conversation that’s happening about how far to push that. Whether or not The Hulk should be [verbal/conscious]… I think a lot of those conversations have more to do with what’s going to come up in future movies.”

Marvel is a complex, group effort and Waititi reveals that Ragnarok will be more of that: “So I think a lot of those decisions are larger group decisions, rather than anything to do with just me or the writer. They have a lot of stuff that they have to consider. But I do think that’s the best way to track it. I think we all want that. I think we all want to see that development and the evolution of that character. I also think you can do it in a fun way.”

The Hulk has been a mute monster who only grunts and groans or a complicated creature capable of carrying on basic conversations. As Bruce Banner and the Hulk grow more intertwined, it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see the each one taking on traits of the other.

For some filmmakers, these constraints (the aforementioned group effort) have led to some fascinating and occasionally ugly stand-offs (just ask Joss Whedon and Edgar Wright), while others have thrived in an environment that demands constant collaboration with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige (James Gunn for example).

Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Jennings and Jaimie Alexander are all set to return to reprise their roles from previous films. Tom Hiddleston is almost certain have a big role as Loki, a fan favorite carrying the franchise. Cate Blanchett is rumored to be cast in Ragnarok, possibly as The Enchantress, with Lou Ferrigno possibly being brought in to do dialogue for Hulk.

Thor: Ragnarok is set for a November 3, 2017 release date.