Taika Waititi has reportedly received a dressing down from Marvel bosses after eyebrow-raising paparazzi pictures circulated showing him and rumoured girlfriend Rita Ora getting cosy with Thor star Tessa Thompson.
The Kiwi filmmaker, his British pop star love interest and the American actress were photographed three-way-kissing and cuddling outside Waititi's Sydney abode after what the Daily Mail described as an "all-night party".
Now an insider on Waititi's film project Thor: Love and Thunder claims the powers that be at Marvel Studios and its parent company Disney were unimpressed by the director's public displays of affection.
"Not exactly the image they're looking to project in relation to one of their biggest franchises," the source told the Telegraph.
The source added that despite Waititi's reputation as a "party animal", the photos "crossed a line" for executives.
In the Mail's exclusive photos, Waititi was seen with his arms draped around both Thomson and Ora, who at one stage leaned in to share a kiss in front of the Hunt for the Wilderpeople director.
Ora and Waititi - who have reportedly been in a relationship for months - packed on the PDA as expected, but Waititi also shared a kiss on the lips with Thompson at another stage of the festivities.
The snaps caused an internet frenzy last week, with fans speculating the handsy trio could be in a polyamrous relationship, while others insisted the images were simply the product of a boozy night out amongst friends.
