Taika Waititi Talks Diversity And Ideas In Hollywood

Taika Waititi is riding high on the success of Thor: Ragnarok, but he’s got more projects in the works.

Furthermore, the director also has an strong opinion on Hollywood itself.

Taika Waititi


MFR ON YOUTUBE (latest video)
Help us reach 5K Subs!

In an interview with Indiewire, Waititi discusses the need for representing diversity. He also takes note of the film industry needing new voices.

“We’re in a really cool place right now: Hollywood is running out of ideas,” he says. “They are scrambling for ideas and stories, and where do they turn? Indigenous people, ethnic people, they turn to Korea, Japan, they turn to anywhere outside of America for films that they can remake for things that are outside of their comfort zone, because that’s where the interesting stuff is.”

Apart from Ragnarok, Waititi is known for his smaller-scale indie movies that focus on characters and plot. He also feels that filmmakers need pursue their original stories rather than rely on what has come before.

Thor: Ragnarok
Image via Marvel Studios

“If we just ride it, and just be true to our own vision and our own stories and our own voices,” he explains. “And not conform to that, and not go like, ‘oh, it’s like “What Happens in Vegas,” but with brown people,’ maybe there’s a good film in there, but if we stick to our own guns, I think we’re in a good place. Speak your truth.”

Jonathan Bruce
Jonathan Bruce
I am an English teacher by day and a freelance writer at night. Specialities include news, reviews, opinion and commentary articles. When I'm not teaching, I participate in theatre, building sets and working stage crew as a hobby. I also enjoy reading and having an occasional glass of Scotch.