Taika Waititi is in negotiations to direct "Thor: Ragnarok" following his work on the vampire spoof "What We Do In the Shadows," which he co-wrote and co-directed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ruben Fleischer, Rob Letterman and Rawson Marshall Thurber were also considered for the job.

In addition to "What We Do in the Shadows," Waititi has written and directed episodes of "Flight of the Conchords." He is currently a writer on Disney's "Moana," which will star Dwayne Johnson. He is no stranger to comic book films, having appeared in Warner Bros.' "Green Lantern" film alongside "Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds.

This isn't the first time Marvel Studios has tapped an out-of-the-box candidate as director. Newcomers Joe and Anthony Russo created a critical success with "Captain America: The Winter Solider," just as James Gunn did with "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Marvel veterans Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost will co-write the next installment of the God of Thunder's solo big-screen adventures. Starring Chris Hemsworth, "Thor: Ragnarok" is scheduled to open on July 28, 2017.