Cate Blanchett Looks Back on Villainous MCU Role: Chris Was So up for Anything

Cate Blanchett Looks Back on Villainous MCU Role: Chris Was So up for Anything

Summary

  • Taika Waititi directed Cate Blanchett as Hela in
    Thor: Ragnarök
    , making her the MCU’s first female villain.
  • Blanchett recalls her surprise at being cast in the movie, highlighting the open and collaborative spirit on set.
  • Despite initial struggles with Thor’s character, Waititi’s playful and exciting approach in
    Ragnarök
    rejuvenated the franchise.

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has traversed the silver screen for decades, I must say that Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Hela in Thor: Ragnarok was nothing short of extraordinary. The collaborative spirit on set under the visionary direction of Taika Waititi created an unparalleled cinematic experience.


In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cate Blanchett broke new ground when she played Hela in “Thor: Ragnarok”. Under the guidance of director Taika Waititi, this humorous superhero film featured Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. This production brought a powerful Asgardian character into the story – Hela, the goddess of death, who is in some way related to Thor and Loki. In the narrative, Hela sought to regain control of Asgard after the demise of Odin (played by Anthony Hopkins), with the intention of reclaiming it.

Seven years post the release of “Thor: Ragnarok”, Cate Blanchett looked back on her experience working with Taika Waititi in this film. In a conversation with GQ, she confessed that she hadn’t anticipated being part of the movie, especially not as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s inaugural female antagonist. The actress admitted to being a fan of Waititi’s films, and it was the director who reached out to her about a potential project with Marvel Studios. In her own words:

“Previously, I had enjoyed Taika’s movies immensely. I had heard rumors about something, but I didn’t give it much thought. Suddenly, I received a call out of the blue, asking if I could meet with Taika. Naturally, I agreed! As it turned out, he wanted to discuss me being part of his upcoming project.”

As a diehard fan, I’d love to share some insights about my time working on the magnificent film, Thor: Ragnarok. Known for his offbeat humor, Taika Waititi certainly brought that same zest and vivacity to the set. Just as his films are entertaining, so was the atmosphere during production.

“I anticipated Taika would add his unique touch to the project, and Chris was eager for new experiences. He’s not only humorous but also open to change. This made the atmosphere feel lively, fun, and unpredictable. It was an amazing experience! Plus, I gained a lot of knowledge.”

Cate Blanchett Reveals How Thor: Ragnarök Was Developed

Cate Blanchett Looks Back on Villainous MCU Role: Chris Was So up for AnythingCate Blanchett Looks Back on Villainous MCU Role: Chris Was So up for AnythingCate Blanchett Looks Back on Villainous MCU Role: Chris Was So up for Anything

In the thrilling days leading up to the premiere of “Thor: Ragnarok,” it was evident that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was steering towards its grand finale, “Avengers: Endgame.” Given this trajectory, one might assume that the studio would be exceptionally methodical in their pre-production processes. Yet, in a rare glimpse behind the scenes, Cate Blanchett disclosed an intriguing twist in Marvel Studios’ approach to filmmaking. Blanchett confessed that the company employs an unconventional method for crafting their cinematic masterpieces, and I, as a movie critic, find this revelation truly fascinating.

“Typically, Marvel isn’t accustomed to receiving an entire script at once. Instead, they often visualize the key battles through storyboarding and work their way backward in creating the story. Essentially, they piece together their narratives like a giant, intricate puzzle.”

As a passionate admirer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I must admit that, despite its peak popularity during the mid/late 2010s, the franchise didn’t fully capture the essence of Thor, portrayed by Chris Hemsworth. Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, while introducing us to Hemsworth’s thunderous deity and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, was a decent, if not exceptional, superhero film. Its sequel, Thor: The Dark World, was often criticized as the MCU’s weakest movie. However, it was only with Taika Waititi at the helm that Thor truly found his stride in concluding his trilogy. While opinions on Waititi’s subsequent film, Thor: Love and Thunder, may vary, Ragnarök remains a beloved gem in the MCU’s treasure trove for many fans like myself.

Thor: Ragnarök
is available to stream on Disney+.

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2024-08-11 16:01