Taika Waititi Reveals Why The Hulk Really Speaks In 'Thor: Ragnarok'

When Thor: Ragnarok debuts this weekend, fans will get a look at a more intelligent version of Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). According to the film's director, Taika Waititi, there are several reasons for that.

In recent interview with CBR, Waititi justified the choice to have Hulk talk within Ragnarok. As he explained, the goal was to make the scenes involving the Hulk a bit more interesting - for both Ruffalo and Thor actor Chris Hemsworth.

"Yeah, that was really, just like with Chris, just wanting make it more interesting for Mark to play that character." Waititi revealed. "Because in the films he just said one or two words and just destroyed everything, and that was the version of Hulk I think that everybody knows."

Waititi believes that this new version of the Hulk is much more complex onscreen, largely stemming from him being the Hulk for a very long period of time.

"But this version — the smarter version — it's just become so much more interesting and engaging." Waititi added. "Because he's been the Hulk for two years. He's a hero on this planet and he's had more time to just sit with himself and feel comfortable in his own skin."

The concept of a talking Hulk took fans by surprise in Ragnarok's second trailer. Waititi explained his reasoning then as well, arguing that the choice symbolizes the battle between the two sides of the character.

"I think in this film we're going to see that for the first time, where the two are fighting — really fighting this time — for control of the body." Waititi said back in July. "And Hulk talking, this idea of a more cognitive Hulk who can say sentences — that obviously has existed in the comics, but I think it's something the fans want to finally see. It's exactly what fans want to see, and what I wanted to see too."

Thor: Ragnarok debuts in theaters on November 3rd.