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Patty Jenkins said she quit 'Thor: The Dark World' over script she didn't 'believe in'

Patty Jenkins stepped down from directing 'Thor: The Dark World'. (Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for WarnerMedia/Marvel)
Patty Jenkins stepped down from directing Thor: The Dark World. (Getty Images for WarnerMedia/Marvel)

Patty Jenkins has revealed she quit Marvel project Thor: The Dark World because she “did not believe that [she] could make a good movie” out of the script.

The Wonder Woman director was originally attached to the 2013 MCU sequel, but quit in December 2011 citing that old cliché of “creative differences” and was replaced by Alan Taylor.

Read more: Patty Jenkins explains 80s setting for Wonder Woman sequel

Jenkins has previously suggested her preferred story would’ve been a cosmic romance inspired by Romeo and Juliet.

The 48-year-old filmmaker has now revealed that she believed, as a female director, that following through on the project would have had a detrimental effect on her career.

She told Indiewire: “I think it would have been a huge deal — it would have looked like it was my fault.

“It would’ve looked like: ‘Oh my God, this woman directed it and she missed all these things.’”

Chris Hemsworth played Thor once again in 'Avengers: Endgame'. (Credit: Marvel)
Chris Hemsworth played Thor once again in Avengers: Endgame. ( Marvel)

Jenkins said that Thor represented the only time in her career that she had thought a project would be less of a big deal if made by another filmmaker, who might see more in it than she did.

She added: “You can’t do movies you don’t believe in. The only reason to do it would be to prove to people that I could.

“But it wouldn’t have proved anything if I didn’t succeed. I don’t think that I would have gotten another chance. And so, I’m super grateful.”

Read more: Gal Gadot reveals colourful new costume for Wonder Woman 1984

Thor: The Dark World became one of the worst reviewed films in the MCU, scoring just 66% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and earning $645m (£540m) at the global box office.

Jenkins, meanwhile, would go on to direct Wonder Woman, which earned an impressive $822m (£688m) and wowed critics to the tune of a 93% approval rating.

Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot attend the 23rd Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 11, 2018. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot attend the 23rd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in 2018. (Getty Images)

She is returning to the world of Gal Gadot’s warrior for sequel Wonder Woman 1984, which has been pushed from its June release date to August as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Alongside Gadot, the film will feature the returning Chris Pine and newcomers Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig as the villains of the piece.

Read more: Taika Waititi confirms Korg for Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor, meanwhile, has remained a cornerstone of the MCU and will next appear in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder — currently set for release in November 2021.

That film, as well as featuring Chris Hemsworth’s title character, will see Natalie Portman return as Jane Foster and become Mighty Thor.