Fans have certainly responded to the firstThor: Ragnarok trailer, which set a new Disney record with 136 million views in the first 24 hours.Chris HemsworthandTom Hiddlestonare back as the Asgardian brothers Thor and Loki, but this new adventure introduces a number of new characters, includingJeff Goldblumas The Grandmaster. A month before the trailer debuted, fans got their first look at The Grandmaster, who has a much different look in the movie than he does in the comics, where his skin is entirely blue. DirectorTaika Waititirevealed that there is a perfectly good explanation for this, which is also quite hilarious.
Earlier this week, a number of journalists were invited to the Marvel facility in Burbank for a special event, andThor: RagnarokdirectorTaika Waititiwas on hand to discuss his Marvel Phase Three adventure, which arrives in theaters November 3.IGNspoke withTaika Waititiduring the event, when the subject of The Grandmaster’s appearance came up. Here’s what the director had to say about whyJeff Golblumisn’t a blue-skinned Grandmaster.
“Because he did another movie where he was blue.”
If you’re failing to recall what movieJeff Goldblumdid where he was blue, the answer is the 1988 box office bomb turned cult classicEarth Girls are Easy. The actor played Mac, a blue-skinned alien who crash lands in a pool belonging to a young Southern California woman (Geena Davis), along with the red-skinned Wiploc (Jim Carrey) and the yellow-skinned Zeebo (Damon Wayans). The movie version of The Grandmaster does have a blue streak running down his chin, and his hair and outfit do have hints of blue as well, but it’s still a far cry from the comic book version.
This certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Marvel Studios has drastically altered a traditionalcomic book costume. WhenElizabeth Olsenwas introduced as Scarlet Witch inAvengers: Age of Ultron, her look was far more conservative, withJoss Whedoneven stating thatElizabeth Olsenwould never wear that comic book costume, which is rather revealing, to say the least. Still, even though Marvel Studios went in a different direction with The Grandmaster, the Hulk’s (Mark Ruffalo) armor as seen at the end of the trailer is quite reminiscent of the original Planet Hulk armor.
Thor: Ragnarokwill also introduceTessa Thompsonas Valkyrie, who captures Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and brings him to The Grandmaster after the mighty Asgardian was banished from his homeland by the new villain Hela (Cate Blanchett), andKarl Urban’s Skurge. Also returning from the first two movies areIdris Elbaas Heimdall andAnthony Hopkinsas Odin, who we learned in theDoctor Strangepost-credits scene has come to Midgard (a.k.a. Earth), where he is disguised as a homeless person.Taika WaititidirectsThor: Ragnarokfrom a script byErik Pearson, withChristopher Yost,Craig KyleandStephany Folsomreceiving story credit. Hopefully we’ll learn : Ragnarokwhen Marvel descends upon San Diego Comic-Con this summer.
