‘Thor 3’ Cast Update: Taika Waititi in talks to Direct Third Installment

Taika Waititi is reportedly in talks to direct the third installment of Marvel's superhero series about the Norse god of thunder, Thor, "Thor: Ragnarok." The Wrap was the first to report on this story.

The director, known for his work on a few episodes of the HBO TV series "Flight of the Conchords" and the vampire spoof, "What We Do In the Shadows," beat out Rubin Fleischer, Rob Letterman and Rawson Marshall Thunder for the job. The writer/comedian/actor/director from New Zealand is a diverse choice for Marvel. Waititi is of Maori and Jewish descent.

If Waititi's deal gets completed, he will become the latest director hired by Marvel who has not worked on a big-budget action film. Waititi does, however, have a superhero movie under his acting credentials. He played a small role in Warner Bros' 2011 superhero movie "Green Lantern," starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

Waititi will follow in footsteps of Kenneth Branagh, who directed the first film, "Thor," and Alan Taylor, the director of "Thor: The Dark World." Taylor was another director who did not have experience working on a big-budget action movie.

Kevin Feige will be producing and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth will return as the superhero deity. Tom Hiddleston will return as Loki and Jaimie Alexander will play Lady Sif.

"Thor: Ragnarok" will be released by Disney on July 28, 2017.