‘I was doing nothing wrong’: Taika Waititi breaks his silence on THAT three-way kiss with girlfriend Rita Ora and actress Tessa Thompson… after being ‘reprimanded by Marvel bosses’
Thor director Taika Waititi has spoken out after he was pictured kissing his girlfriend Rita Ora and actress Tessa Thompson after an all-night party at his Sydney home in May.
Despite reports he was ‘reprimanded’ by Marvel executives for his behaviour, the New Zealand filmmaker, 45, told ET Canada it ‘wasn’t a big deal’.
When asked if he was upset by the media attention the photos received, Waititi said: ‘Not really. I think in the world of the internet, everything goes away pretty quick.
‘Not a big deal’: Thor director Taika Waititi has spoken out after he was pictured kissing his girlfriend Rita Ora and actress Tessa Thompson after an all-night party at his Sydney home on May 23
‘And also, “Is it that big a deal?” No, not really. I was doing nothing wrong. It’s fine.’
Waititi made headlines around the world for his three-way kiss with Rita, whom he has been dating for several months, and Tessa, one of the stars of his new movie Thor: Love and Thunder, on the balcony of his Bondi home on May 23.
The trio locked lips after partying through the night during a break from shooting the upcoming Marvel sequel, which is slated for a May 2022 release.
No dramas: Despite reports he was ‘reprimanded’ for his behaviour, the Kiwi filmmaker, 45, told ET Canada it ‘wasn’t a big deal’. Pictured with Tessa on July 20, 2019, in San Diego
While there is no suggestion he did anything wrong, reports later emerged that executives at the Disney-owned Marvel Studios weren’t happy.
‘[It’s] not exactly the image they’re looking to project in relation to one of their biggest franchises,’ an industry insider said at the time.
The source added that Waititi reputation for being a ‘party animal’ was no secret at Marvel, but the photos nonetheless ‘crossed the line’.
Brushing it off: When asked if he was upset by the attention the photos received, Waititi said: ‘Not really. I think in the world of the Internet, everything goes away pretty quick. Also, “Is it that big a deal?” Not really. I was doing nothing wrong. It’s fine.’ Pictured with Rita on May 16
Thor: Love and Thunder was filmed at various locations around Sydney in the first half of 2021, with production centred at Fox Studios.
Waititi, who last year won an Oscar for his film Jojo Rabbit, directed the movie after previously helming 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok.
Tessa, 37, plays Valkyrie, who is noted for being the first LGBT characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, Rita was in Sydney filming her judging role on The Voice Australia.
Waititi was married to fellow Kiwi filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley from 2011 to 2018. The former couple share two children, Te Hinekaahu, eight, and Matewa, five.
Work and pleasure: Thor: Love and Thunder was filmed at various locations around Sydney in the first half of 2021, with production centred at Fox Studios. Pictured: Waititi on June 26
Role: Tessa, 37, plays Valkyrie, who is noted for being the first LGBT characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
On camera: Meanwhile, Rita was in Sydney filming her judging role on The Voice Australia