In a recent interview with Andy Parks, the director of the visual development team of Marvel Studios, he revealed how much he enjoyed working with Thor: Love and Thunder director, Taika Waititi. He also expressed his views on the path that Marvel Studios is walking on and how mesmerized he is by Kevin Feige’s vision.
There is no doubt about how astonishing the MCU’s costumes and designs are. From concept arts to posters, Marvel never seizes to surprise its fans. Andy Park talked about his experience with Taika Waititi as well as his journey of over twelve years working in with Marvel Studios.
Andy Park’s Job Then Vs. Now
Starting from Captain America: The First Avenger Andy Park has come a long way ahead. He has explored worlds, characters, and stories of different characters and the visions of multiple directors. Bringing someone’s vision to life, that would be a gist of how he would describe his job to be.
He states that at first one would think about how big would Marvel be able to go after its large scaled Avengers: Endgame, however that too was a thought short lived with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as well as the Thunderbolts. He says that the model evolves from the comics themselves and with it the vision too gets bigger and bigger.
Andy Park’s Experience With Taika Waititi And Thor
Pointing out the difference between the first two Thor movies and the last two, Andy Parks remarks about how much fun he’s had while working with director Taika Waititi. Fleshing out the same character apart from his first two movies in a much different and lively way it truly an experience for him.
He states that working with Waititi is like strapping in for a ride. His ideas being unafraid to explore the extremes and him willing to take those leaps just as much build a trust in his vision that make the entire journey for Park rather fun.
“There might be times when we’re scared [and say] ‘Ahhh, I don’t know…that might be a little too far design-wise.’ So he’ll like push us to be like, ‘Hey, let’s go there.’ Whether that becomes the design or we pivot back a little bit, we wouldn’t have found this pivot without going to the extreme. That’s Taika pretty much in a nutshell.”
More so he proceeds to explain how each and every character and creature have multiple design ideas and options that are all put forward and then seen as to which fits the best. He stated that the design of Eternity as well had many options, from grandiose to simple. Taika Waititi had stated that although the scene was to involve Eternity, the focus had to remain on the characters of Thor, Mighty Thor, Gorr and his daughter Love. To which the only design that fit best was a simple yet comic accurate design for Eternity.
The Designing Of Omnipotence City And Gorr’s Shadow Monsters
Mayes Rubeo, who is the costume designer of the movie, and her artists were in charge of designing the characters involved in Omnipotence City. After an overview image was created, the city was then designed with a comic accuracy in mind, after which the characters were then put more into focus.
Gorr’s shadow monsters too had an incredible story for their design. Taika Waititi’s own children drew out their iteration of the monsters, which then was also done by Christian Bale‘s children. This then became a practice for each of the crew members involved in the making of the film. Since the shadow monsters were an aspect of Love’s imagination, it made sense to have children give their own views towards the same. Of course the final designs ranged from how creepy they can get to how humorous as well.
Andy Park Designing Thunderbolts, Quantumania And His Dream Come True
Working in a full – time industry, both on – set and with the VFX team, Andy Park states how he himself made the first look of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, it being the only look revealed so far for the movie. Giving a glimpse of the three suits, being Scott’s Cassy’s and Hope’s, as well as a view of the Quantum-verse as well. He says about how the costumes themselves give out a little bit of their personalities and he would love to be part of these characters’ introduction. He also talks about how the teaser art for the Thunderbolts reveals very little about the actual project and yet gives an idea about the characters within the project.
Him being a Marvel fan since he was a kid makes his experience of working with Marvel Studios folds better. His trust in Kevin Feige’s vision is strong as even through he would be worried how a project like Guardians of the Galaxy were to work right after The Avengers only to then be amazed of how strong and focused Feige’s idea is. Working not only comic accurately but also enjoying his time with the Studios.
Source: Syfy
