Taika Waititi thought Thor: Ragnarok would be a 'career-ender' — turns out it's the opposite

It's safe to say all countries have their own unique comedy identities. What we laugh at is tied up with where we're from and the culture we grew up in. No one knows that better than New Zealand director Taika Waititi. He has directed episodes of HBO's Flight of the Conchords, and made films including Boy, What We do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, the latter becoming the highest-grossing New Zealand film in history. These are all comedies with an unmistakably Kiwi flavour. 

So, what does Waititi do next?

He goes and directs Thor: Ragnarok, a superhero space comedy, featuring the Norse god of thunder battling the vengeful goddess of death, Hela, in the mythical realm of Asgard. Ragnarok may be the third instalment in Marvel's multi-million dollar Thor franchise, but it is without a doubt stamped with Waititi's own signature. 

Today, Waititi joins Tom Power in the studio to discuss his rise, from indie films to big blockbusters. 

— Produced by Ashley Mak