Taika Waititi to bring the humour, Hulk to Thor

Kiwi director Taika Waititi.

Kiwi director Taika Waititi was hired by Marvel to lighten up their upcoming Thor movie, a new report suggests.

Film website Birth.Movie.Death reported Waititi was chosen to direct Thor: Ragnarok specifically for his comedy background.

Waititi is yet to confirm rumours he will direct the film.

The site says the movie, the third of Thor's solo films, is darker and more serious than most Marvel films.

The term 'Ragnarok' refers to an apocalyptic disaster that befalls Asgard both in Norse mythology and the Marvel comics. As Marvel movies tend to be more comedic, BMD says Marvel hopes Waititi, best known for comedies Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, will lighten up the script while still maintaining the "apocalyptic vibe".

One way this could be achieved is by adding The Hulk to the mix. Another site, JoBlo reports Mark Ruffalo will reprise his role as Bruce Banner in Ragnarok, adding what has been described as a 'cosmic road trip' vibe to the film.

Ruffalo's inclusion will also bring in elements of the Planet Hulk storyline from the comics, which saw The Hulk abandoned on a far off planet and forced to fight in gladiator-style battles.

Thor and the Hulk are the only members of the Avengers team not scheduled for an appearance in next year's Captain America: Civil War, so a separate team up between the two seems like a likely way to make up for their exclusion.

BMD also reports that comic characters Valkyrie and The Enchantress will be making their screen debuts.

Thor: Ragnarok is scheduled for release on November 3 2017. Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jaime Alexander are expected to reprise their roles of Thor, Loki and Lady Sif from the previous films.

- nzherald.co.nz