The MCU’s Most Controversial Director Is the Only One to Do a Major Character Justice

It’s not unusual for various directors to get their hands on the same character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There isn’t enough time for the same filmmaker to helm every project, so the franchise has to play a serious game of musical chairs. Tony Stark alone deals with Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, Shane Black, Jon Watts, and the Russo brothers, but Robert Downey Jr.’s performance ensures that there are no inconsistencies with the character. Not every MCU character is that lucky, though, as there are a few instances of actors having to change aspects of their performance to fit a different director’s vision.

Chris Hemsworth changes so much about the God of Thunder in Thor: Ragnarok, with Taika Waititi deciding that the best course of action is to embrace the ridiculous nature of a character who can shoot lightning from his hands. However, Thor isn’t the only character to deal with a major shift in Ragnarok. Waititi also makes the most of his opportunity with another major hero, getting them to embrace their comic book roots for a short period.

Doctor Strange Dons a Major Part of His Comic Book Costume in Thor: Ragnarok

Stephen Strange uproots his entire life and moves to Nepal to study with the Masters of the Mystic Arts at Kamar-Taj, believing they can provide a way to heal his hands and get him back in an operating room. The work proves easy for someone as intelligent as Strange, but his plan goes up in flames when an evil sorcerer attacks. With the Ancient One gone, Strange has to take on all the responsibilities of the Sorcerer Supreme and stop Dormammu from invading the Earth. When that’s done, he returns to New York and starts using his knowledge to protect the Earth from dangerous threats.

One of the first people to appear on his radar is Loki, who comes to Earth with his brother to search for their father, Odin. Not wanting the God of Mischief to stir up trouble again, Strange transports both Asgardians to the Sanctum Sanctorum. However, the sorcerer looks different, wearing a bright yellow pair of gloves. The fashion choice is a reference to the comics, where Strange frequently wears yellow gloves to accompany his blue and red outfit. Waititi shows his appreciation for the source material throughout Ragnarok, but other directors don’t follow suit, removing the gloves from Strange’s wardrobe. The rest of the MCU distancing itself from Waititi ends up being a good move, though, because he loses the plot in his second go-around.

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Thor: Love and Thunder Never Reins Itself in

Since so many hold Ragnarok in high regard, it’s only natural that Waititi returns to the well in Thor: Love and Thunder. The movie adapts the storyline from the comics that features Jane Foster getting cancer and searching for a way to survive. Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, calls to her and grants her incredible gifts. Unfortunately, when she’s not in her god form, the cancer remains and threatens her life. To make matters worse, Gorr the God Butcher is traveling the cosmos in search of deities he can wipe off the map. The chips are stacked against the titular hero, but he continues to crack jokes and not take the situation very seriously.

While Love and Thunder‘s tone isn’t much different from its predecessor’s, the humor doesn’t work as well, which leaves the whole film feeling uneven. It’s a shame because, once again, Waititi embraces various strange aspects of the comics, including giant goats and the cosmic being Eternity. With Waititi unlikely to get another chance to helm an MCU movie, at least he can hang his head high that he is the only director to understand Doctor Strange’s corner of the universe.

Thor: Ragnarok is streaming on Disney+.

Did you enjoy seeing Doctor Strange wear the yellow gloves in Thor: Ragnarok? How do you feel about Thor: Love and Thunder? Let us know in the comments below!