Thor: Ragnarok's star and director discuss how liberating cutting the hero's hair was—and how comic legend Jack Kirby influenced the film. In just a few months, Marvel's third film of the year will be out. So far, buzz for Ragnarok has been strong, thanks to its irreverent tone and colorful palette. Promotion has also started beginning in earnest for the movie, meaning more looks at the film have been arriving regularly.

Recent images from Thor: Ragnarok have shown playing nice on Earth, likely from a scene early in the film. The images have also highlighted all the updated costumes that will feature in the film. Of course, one of the earliest talking points about the movie was its unique look— that and Thor's new short hair.

As part of EW's print coverage of Thor: Ragnarok, they spoke with star Chris Hemsworth and director Taiki Waiti the overall aesthetic of the film. For Hemsworth, even just cutting his hair was an essential component of the movie.

Chris Hemsworth in Thor Ragnarok

“When I didn’t have the wig on, I instantly felt like I could move and speak and react differently. Once we aesthetically stripped a lot of that away, it allowed the whole thing to take on a different attitude. It felt like a completely different character, and that was hugely liberating and freeing as an actor because I had become a bit bored with myself.”

Considering 2011 to 2015 featured four films where Hemsworth needed to rock Thor's long locks, it's not surprising the actor was happy to change up his look. And since early scenes in the film required old school Thor, having to wear a wig likely wasn't fun either. But Thor's hair isn't the only new design choice.

From the sets and costumes to even the colors used in the new movie, Ragnarok already looks like nothing Marvel has done on screen. Of course, the aesthetic is straight out of the comics, something Waititi was keen to point out.

“The look is inspired a helluva lot by Jack Kirby and his art. I loved the kind of cosmic trippy vibe of the Thor comics. I’ve often said if Freddie Mercury were alive, I would have asked Queen to do the soundtrack. The movie just has that feel: It’s a cool, bold, colorful cosmic adventure.”

The events on Sakaar most blatantly come from Kirby's designs, using the look of his Eternals and Celestials to inspire the various guards on the Grandmaster's planet. And considering how much of a hand Kirby had in constructing various aspects of Thor's world, it's fitting that the Marvel legend was looked to for inspiration on Thor: Ragnarok.

Next: Thor 3 Director Wishes Chris Hemsworth a Happy Birthday

Source: EW