SPOILER WARNING:We talk about theThor: The Dark Worldmid-credits scene in this interview.
We dont reveal what it is, but its clear what film its setting the scene for.
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Im guessing lots of people think youve not made a film before!
And the interesting thing is thats a funny film with a big, rich ensemble cast.
How have the experiences differed though?
Your first film was a contained project that punched above its weight.
Television gives you scope to explore.
In a way, it wasnt that different a storytelling experience.
We had to tell the story for people as if this could be the first Marvel movie they see.
What happens when you land a Marvel movie like this, then?
Do you get the handover notes from Kenneth Branagh, and a PowerPoint presentation from Joss Whedon?
No, wouldnt that be great!
[Laughs] No you dont.
Id say that theres a massive difference with what Branagh did inThor 1.
He had to create it from scratch.
Theres so much thats already been successfully achieved.
So we have to not screw it up and run with the ball.
It was very much an enterprise already in motion.
But he got yanked intoJack Ryan, and we didnt have a chance to talk again.
But his movie was the homework I needed.
I dont know whats coming next.
Im assuming there will be aThor 3.
You do have the card at the end, the James Bond touch.
At the end of the credits, where it says Thor will return?
I didnt know that!
I guess they decided that we did alright.
Its funny, because I dont think weve had that many post-credits things.
I had nothing to do with it.
I dont think it was James Gunn.
I think it was someone who came in and did it down and dirty, I believe.
It was James Gunns cast, and his props and his set I suppose.
Then theres the post-end credits sequence, with one of my favourite shots in the movie.
I did do that.
Because it strikes me you have a real touch for this?
They didnt watch Palookaville?
They didnt see my student short, which is probably the most personal thing Ive ever done.
My hero was Scorsese, who was always funny.
Because otherwise were screwed.
So Im really happy to hear that the humour is coming across.
You were caught in the midst of internet rumours on this one…
Oh god, yeah!
I remember that one!
Is that a frustration, that its a distraction you have to deal with?
Well, you dont have to deal with it.
you might not read it.
I would liken it a little bit to winning awards.
Theres the Emmys, right?
I won once when I was stunned and didnt think I shouldve.
And I lost once when I was stunned and didnt think I shouldve.
And you cant really take the stuff about being a jerk seriously, because it will murder you.
But you shouldnt take the stuff about being great seriously.
How we handled the composer issue, and seeing how it blossomed into…
Thermonuclear war!
One specific challenge to this film was you were putting four different worlds on screen.
Lets see: we had Vanaheim, Asgard, Midgard, and I think we briefly glimpsed another.
But thats tricky isnt it, to put across four distinct worlds?
Thats the fun part though.
When I was going to film school, before film school, my hero was David Lynch.
And I loved that idea.
That was the fun bit.
I love that we got to go on location, rather than being in a green screen box somewhere.
I love that we got to explore the Icelandic volcanic landscape.
You are a weather masochist.
[Laughs] If you have the right clothes, it doesnt matter!
I got such a fancy coat to go there, that was fine.
Yeah, I did enjoy the making of the movie, the shooting of the movie.
There was some agony in prep because of script issues.
And there was some agony in post around the composer issue.
But the centrepiece of making the movie was the fun.
The London crew was amazing.
The cast, largely English, was amazing.
I loved London, living here was a treat.
My DP is a guy Ive worked with before, and that was a great relationship.
There were some dark moments, but the actual adventure of shooting was fun.
Are you definitely doing it?
I think Im going to say that its still being talked about.
I literally had one conversation with Skydance, and the next day, I was apparently doing it!
And that was really premature.
So I would like to say that its premature right now.
Going forward, is it big films that interest you though?
Its funny, Ive talked to some of my friends, and we cant believe Im doing this.
We came out of independent cinema, and my hero was Hal Hartley.
I would love to do this for a while.
I would love this to be a phase.
Its the quintessential American pop medium.
Its like you get to write a rock song or something.
So Im grateful to be here doing this.
Im not sure this is going to be what I do.
Alan Taylor, thank you very much.
Thor: The Dark Worldarrives in UK cinemas on October 30th.
