It's Official: Taika Waititi Will Return To Direct 'Thor 4'

New Zealand director Taika Waititi has officially been confirmed to return to direct the next installment of the Thor franchise. 

Following the global success of his Hollywood feature debut, 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, The Hollywood Reporter says the Wellington-born filmmaker will write and direct the fourth Thor film.

Aussie star Chris Hemsworth is expected return as the title character, however it is not yet known if Waititi will reprise the role of Korg.

Following its release, Thor: Ragnarok was a critical and commercial success, raking in over $US850 million at the box office on a budget of $US180 million.

The news reportedly sees Waititi's other film project, Akira, put on hold to allow production to start on the new Thor feature. Warner Bros plans for Waititi to recommence work on Akira after wrapping up the new Marvel blockbuster. 

Waititi's next film, dark comedy drama Jojo Rabbit (starring Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson) is expected to hit cinemas this October.

Meanwhile, the TV version of Waititi's What We Do In The Shadows (co-written by collaborator and Flight Of The Conchords' Jemaine Clement) has been renewed for a third season and will screen on FX in 2020.