'Thor: Ragnarok' Air Date, News & Update: Marvel Director Almost Did Not Sign On For Sequel? Odin Was Almost Played By Mel Gibson?

"Thor: Ragnarok" will deliver a very different mood for Chris Hemsworth as Marvel's Norse thunder god and Tom Hiddleton as the wily Loki, however, director Taika Waititi almost did not sign on. One other almost for Marvel's "Thor" trilogy is "The Expendables" villain Mel Gibson, who was the choice for the Norse all-father Odin before Anthony Hopkins.

In an interview with IndieWire, reluctant filmmaker Taika Waititi was initially a reluctant Marvel director for "Thor: Ragnarok." Taika Waititi, known for such films as "What We Do In The Shadows" and "Hunt For The Wilderpeople, had been concerned that "Thor: Ragnarok" would get in the way of his other projects.

While a Marvel film as "Thor: Ragnarok" is something many directors would want to do, Taika Waititi needed to convince himself. Luckily for "Thor: Ragnarok" Taika Waititi eventually came around.

Recently Taika Waititi exhibited uncanny understanding of "Thor" as a Marvel hero. According to GamesRadar, Taika Waititi was unconcerned that Chris Hemsworth did not reprise Thor in Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War."

Taika Waititi pointed out that bringing in Chris Hemsworth with Thor would have changed the dynamics of "Captain America: Civil War." According to Taika Waititi, Thor would not have been pulled into the Cap-Ironman drama.

Taika Waititi said instead Thor would have created a team of his own to focus on the mission. In that, Taika Waititi proved that he does know his Marvel heroes and he does understand Thor.

This should clear fan confusion over how Taika Waititi would turn "Thor: Ragnarok," which is the darkest installment in the Marvel trilogy, into a comedic showcase for Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner, The Incredible Hulk). "As much as I love action and spectacle, I think my strength and what I'm really interested in mostly is character," Taika Waititi commented.

Meanwhile, Business 2 Community reports that "Thor: Ragnarok" almost had a different Odin for Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. Mel Gibson was offered the role of Odin for "Thor" (2011).

Mel Gibson turned Odin down and Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were instead cast with Anthony Hopkins. The choice worked out well and the chemistry among Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston with Anthony Hopkins will once more be explored in "Thor: Ragnarok."

Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins and Mark Ruffalo will be joined by Cate Blanchett as the Norse goddess of death Hela and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie in "Thor: Ragnarok." Theater release is projected for October 25, 2017 for "Thor: Ragnarok."