‘Thor: Ragnarok:’ Behind the Scenes, Interesting Facts, and Easter Eggs!

“Thor: Ragnarok” is available on DVD as of March 6! Before you run out to purchase it, we wanted to share with you a few previews of the bonus material that is available on the DVD and some interesting facts about the film.

Australian and New Zealand Influence on “Thor: Ragnarok”

Did you know that there was an Australian/New Zealand influence on the space ships in the film? Here is director Taika Waititi discussing this influence along with a variety of additional AU/NZ!

Additionally, here are eight Australia/New Zealand Easter Eggs from “Thor: Ragnarok:”

1. The horns on Surtur’s helmet were crafted out of an ancient Australian boomerang that the crew received as a gift while filming in Australia.

2. The Grandmaster’s henchwoman, Topaz, is played by Rachel House. She has starred in many of Taika Waititi’s projects, including Eagle vs. Shark, Boy, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

3.  Taika Waititi is a big fan of sketch comedy actor Steven Oliver from Australia’s “Black Comedy” television series and contacted him to be “Cousin Carlo” in a scene with Jeff Goldblum.

4.   The scene where Valkyrie opens a bottle with her blade is an homage to the Beth Heke character in Once Were Warriors.       

5. Chris Hemsworth loved Taika Waititi so much he shaved an “N” and a “Z” in the sides of his head for “New Zealand.” (according to Taika, at least)

6. Interns from a local Aboriginal community created much of the Hulk parade masks & banner props on Sakaar. Several of the interns ended up getting jobs with the art department.

7. During Hela’s fight sequence against the army of Asgard, she is doubled by the famous New Zealand stuntwoman, Zoe Bell.

8. The colors for The Grandmaster’s ship, The Commodore, were inspired by the Aboriginal flag, while Valkyrie’s ship colors were modeled on the Maori flag. Many of the space ships in the film were also named after cars from the Australia/New Zealand car company, Holden – Statesman, Commodore, Escort, Kingswood, Torana, etc.

Behind-the-scenes videos featuring Valkyrie & Hela, as well as some select concept art from the film

Jack Kirby’s influence on the world of Sakaar, and some more Easter Eggs!

11 Comic Book Easter Eggs from the Thor: Ragnarok Commentary Track with Taika Waititi

1. The initial Hela costume is loosely based on the comic design and transitions into the iconic version when she returns to Asgard. Her weapons were based on Gorr the God Butcher’s weapons from the “God of Thunder” comic storyline.
2. Sakaar’s design was taken from Jack Kirby’s artwork. Taika was a fan as a kid and incorporated many shapes and colors from classic comics.
3. The obedience discs are power inhibitors lifted from the “Planet Hulk” comic storyline.
4. The designs of many background characters in Sakaar were also lifted directly from Jack Kirby comics.
5. Traditionally, the Grandmaster in the comics is blue-skinned, but they thought people might tie it back to Jeff Goldblum’s character from “Earth Girls Are Easy.”
6. The characters of Korg and Miek are from the “Planet Hulk” comic storyline. Taika based Korg’s voice on the Polynesian bouncers in New Zealand, many of whom are extremely polite and don’t want to hurt anyone.
7. The large wolf, Fenris, is a great ally of Hela’s in the comics.
8. The mural on the back wall of The Grandmaster’s suite is actual Jack Kirby artwork.
9. After years of fans asking for it, Thor finally got his helmet in the Sakaarian battle arena.
10. Odin’s spear, Gungnir, appears in the background of the throne room on Asgard.
11. Hulk’s Sakaarian wardrobe casual wear is lifted from various Hulk comics.

Behind the scenes of the strobe light technology in the fight scene between Hela and Valkyrie

8 Film Facts from the Thor: Ragnarok Commentary Track with Taika Waititi

1. The character of Surtur was voiced by Clancy Brown and motion-captured by Taika Waititi.
2. The Doctor Strange sequence was filmed in London during the Doctor Strange production, 8-9 months prior to principle photography on Thor: Ragnarok.
3. The synth music was a big part of the world of Sakaar. Mark Mothersbaugh developed the score and pulled together a variety of analog synth music and original pieces from Robert Moog and blended them with Asgardian instrumentals to create a new score.
4. Taika Waititi designed Valkyrie’s wrist tattoo.
5. The 3-headed gladiator on Sakaar had his far-left head modeled after Taika Waititi.
6. The unique lighting design of the battle between Hela and the Valkyries has never been used in a major film before. The sequence was designed by Stu Rutherford, who starred in Waititi’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” and Carlo Van de Roer. The “bullet time” effect of the long shadows is created by a series of strobe lights that surround the actors during the scene while it is shot in slow motion.
7. Mark Ruffalo wears the classic Patrick Nagel album cover for Duran Duran’s “Rio” when he puts on Tony Stark’s clothes.
8. The original Norse myth of Ragnarok includes Surtur as taking part in the destruction of Asgard.

Make sure to purchase “Thor: Ragnarok” today! You will not be disappointed!

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