Big Trouble in Little China inspired the tone of Thor: Ragnarok

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

We've been hearing more and more about THOR: RAGNAROK recently, and, at least to me, everything seems to point towards the film being something very special. We've got an all-star cast featuring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch and Karl Urban, a vibrant intergalactic setting and Taika Waititi putting his own particular stamp on the God of Thunder.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Waititi revealed that the 1986 cult-classic BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA by the great John Carpenter served as his inspiration for the tone of THOR: RAGNAROK. In fact, Waititi referenced the film when he made his initial pitch for Marvel.

Big Trouble in Little China was one of those films where Jack Burton is a buffoon but he’s lovable and you’re with him the entire way. I thought Thor has got to be the one you want to be with in every scene.

Despite the comparison, Taika Waititi is quick to point out that THOR: RAGNAROK isn't a comedy. "There are some really great moments we’re going to have in the film," says Waititi. "Knowing that it was Bruce Banner and Thor on kind of a road trip journey, that lends itself to a tone because those guys are both really funny. I was like you gotta exploit Chris’ comic abilities. He’s so good and underutilized in that department. He’s legitimately one of the funniest things in this film." I count BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA among my favourite John Carpenter movies, so I'm absolutely not going to complain if THOR: RAGNAROK winds up sharing a few similiarities with it.

THOR: RAGNAROK is set for a November 3, 2017 release.