I was invited by Disney on an all expenses paid trip in exchange for my coverage of the #ThorRagnarokEvent. All opinions are my own.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thor Ragnarok, it is an excellent movie! (In case you missed it, read my review of Thor Ragnarok.) While I was in LA for the #ThorRagnarokEvent I had the chance to interview Karl Urban who plays “Skurge” in Tor Ragnarok. He is so great in the movie and a very nice guy in person. In fact, when he came into the interview room, he took the time to shake hands and introduce himself to all 25 bloggers. It was super awesome and totally shows how nice of a guy he is! Here is our interview…
I heard that a lot of this movie is improvised, can you tell us more about that?
Karl Urban: Full credit to Marvel. They hired a director, Taika, who has a very strong comedic style and sensibility and they actually just let him do his job. There was already a brilliant foundation in the script and we would shoot a couple of versions of what was on the page and then shoot a wealth of material that that Taika quite frankly just made up. You felt comfortable, there was no such thing as a bad choice. I think that really kind of afforded everybody a wonderful freedom to fully explore all of the options. I can’t wait to see the extras on this movie, I mean it’s like the movie is funny and entertaining but I think the extras are going to be as equally entertaining and I can’t wait to see them.
Do you have a favorite scene that didn’t make it in that you wish it had?
Karl Urban: I have like, in Skurge’s introduction, when I’m trying to woo the young ladies, they had a whole collection of stolen stuff that Skurge had pillaged from the universe. And you only got to see one thing of me, but they had all sorts of stuff. We shot like for hours with me like with fishing rods with lures and all sorts of crazy stuff, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.
Was last night at the World Premiere the first time you saw the movie?
Karl Urban: Yes it was. I feel so blessed. It was such a pleasurable experience to not only see the film with my friends and colleagues but to see the film with an audience who were thoroughly entertained. Again you have to give full credit to Taika and to Marvel for really producing a film that I think reboots Thor in a wonderful, healthy, positive way. And I’m so happy for Chris that he’s actually finally been given the opportunity to spread his wings. I think that this film showcases his complete full potential. Everyone was allowed to bring it.
I really like the arc of your character, can you tell me more about how you wanted to portray your character?
Karl Urban: I got a call from Taika saying ‘listen there’s this character in this movie that I’d love for you to do.’ And I’d wanted to work with Taika for a very long time, I’m a huge fan of his work from “What We Do In The Shadows”, to “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”, and “Boy”. So already he had my half hooked right just by calling me, but he sent me the script and I immediately recognized that there was actually something profoundly emotionally compelling about this character’s journey that was eminently relatable.
Here’s a character that’s put in a situation where he has to make a decision, he has to align himself with a cause that he does not believe in but it’s the only thing he can do in order to survive. And I thought that was a very interesting moral dilemma. Then he is looking for a way to redeem himself and that was ultimately his journey. And it resonated on the page. So I had full confidence that left unmolested it was going to translate onto the screen.
What kind of things did you do to help get into character?
Karl Urban: You know, I can say this is one of the most fun sets that I’ve ever been on. Taika is constantly playing music in between takes. I’m so proud of him. I imagine it would have been a pressure cooker situation to be responsible for this behemoth movie. But he did it with such aplomb and such grace and style. And he created an environment that was not only fun but it was focused. And that’s a rarity.
The Women are awesome in this movie, what does that mean for you? Since this is a movie that younger people are watching, is that important for you?
Karl Urban: It’s imperative. I think it would have been a boring movie without them. Cate and Tessa are so wonderful in this film, they are my favorite parts of the movie and I love seeing Tessa’s swagger. I love the journey of her character from the dark place that she was in, to redemption, to reclaiming herself with her identity.
And I had such a wonderful time working with Cate Blanchett. I mean to be perfectly honest, she was the reason I decided to do this movie, it was the opportunity to work with Cate Blanchett. I read that script and saw that ninety percent of my material was with her, I’m like where do I sign up? How much do I pay you? (He said, joking and laughing)
What’s it like being part of Marvel Universe?
Karl Urban: Being part of Marvel Universe is an absolute pleasure, they are a wonderful collaborative company. I just have a huge degree of admiration and respect for what they have done. And then particularly what they have done on this film and how they’ve supported Taika and really put a network around him and gave him the freedom and had the courage to let him do his job. That’s what nobody does it better than these guys. Many people try and copy them, but they have got a formula and they are heavily aligned with the creative element of the process. And I think that’s to their benefit.
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It was really cool to be able to chat with Karl Urban and hear his thoughts on Thor Ragnarok. He was very nice and took a group photo with us.
Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK opens in theaters THIS FRIDAY, Nov. 3rd!
Watch the trailer…
Also, check out:
- Behind the Scenes of Thor Ragnarok with Director Taika Waititi
- Talking with Thor Ragnarok Producer Kevin Feige
- my Red Carpet experience at the World Premiere of Thor Ragnarok
- DIY Hela Headdress, Hela Halloween Pumpkin, and Mjolnir Candy Apples
- Thor Ragnarok Character Posters
Like THOR: RAGNAROK on Facebook
Follow THOR: RAGNAROK on Twitter
Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram
“In Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first, he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk! THOR: RAGNAROK is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.“-Marvel Studios
