Jay Oliva on ‘Twilight of the Gods’: Exclusive Insights into Zack Snyder’s Epic Vision

Netflix’s highly anticipated animated series, Twilight of the Gods, is set to debut globally on September 19th. Co-created by Jay Oliva, Zack Snyder, and Eric Carrasco, this mythological epic promises an exciting exploration of Norse mythology, brought to life in a way never seen before. We recently caught up with Jay Oliva to discuss his creative process, his experience working with Zack Snyder, and the art of choreographing intense animated action sequences.

What Inspired Jay Oliva to Work on ‘Twilight of the Gods’?

When asked about what drew him to work on Twilight of the Gods, Jay Oliva revealed that his love for mythology began in childhood. Having a deep appreciation for Greek, Norse, and Egyptian mythologies, Oliva’s passion for these ancient stories was ignited by films like Clash of the Titans. For him, Norse mythology stood out due to its rich characters and lore.

Oliva shared an interesting insight into how the idea for Twilight of the Gods was conceived. While working in Manila on his first Netflix show, Trese, Netflix executive John Derdarian approached him with an unexpected question, “What do you know about Norse mythology?” From there, Oliva crafted the story on the spot, inspired by the concept that Christian missionaries convinced the Vikings that Ragnarok had already occurred, merging mythological and Christian narratives in a unique way.

The Creative Process Behind Writing and Directing

Oliva’s creative process for Twilight of the Gods is built on one core principle: the ending. He believes that a strong and inspiring conclusion is the foundation of any good story. Once the ending is clear, the rest of the narrative can unfold with purpose.

In his collaboration with Zack Snyder, Oliva further developed the story, focusing on making it a love story amidst the backdrop of revenge and godly battles. He didn’t want the human elements of love and loyalty to be lost in the bombastic storytelling. This emotional depth is what sets Twilight of the Gods apart from other mythological adaptations.

Blending Norse Mythology with Creative Vision

Norse mythology is known for its larger-than-life characters and dramatic narratives, which Oliva found perfect for adaptation. However, rather than focusing solely on the gods, he wanted to explore humanity’s place in this fantastical world. Oliva emphasizes the feeling of insignificance humans must have felt living alongside powerful gods who viewed them as trivial beings.

At the heart of his vision is a love story—a tale of love driven by vengeance in a world where survival is uncertain, and the gods hold ultimate power. This emotional conflict leads directly to the events of Ragnarok, the ultimate cataclysmic battle in Norse mythology.

Reinterpreting Norse Gods for a Modern Audience

In recent years, characters like Thor and Loki have become pop-culture icons, making it essential for Oliva and his team to stay true to their mythological roots while offering something fresh. Their approach involved going back to the original texts, especially focusing on the lesser-known dynamics, such as the friendship between Odin and Loki.

The team wanted to ensure that these gods felt authentic but still dramatic enough to captivate modern audiences. For example, Oliva pointed out that Thor is often portrayed as a brash, over-the-top character, but they grounded him in the myth while giving him an amplified persona.

Collaborating with Zack Snyder and Eric Carrasco

The collaboration between Jay Oliva, Zack Snyder, and Eric Carrasco was a seamless process. According to Oliva, the three of them would sit together to discuss the overall narrative arc of the series. Once a broad structure was agreed upon, Carrasco would write out detailed episode summaries, with both Snyder and Oliva offering their input along the way.

Oliva speaks highly of the collaborative dynamic, noting that Carrasco was instrumental in weaving in many of the details Oliva had initially pitched. The fine-tuning process allowed the story to evolve from its original concept into a fully realized series.

Favourite Characters and Why They Stand Out

Oliva’s favourite characters from Twilight of the Gods are Leif and Sigrid, the two protagonists whose story of love, loss, and redemption serves as the emotional core of the series. However, Loki also stands out for Oliva due to his complex character arc. While Oliva didn’t want to give away spoilers, he hinted that Loki plays a central role in the series, acting as a crucial linchpin for the unfolding events.

Why Animation? Jay Oliva’s Passion for the Medium

Though Oliva is known for his work in animation, he admits that his true passion lies in storytelling. Animation is simply the medium that allows him to bring his imaginative worlds to life. From Batman: The Dark Knight Returns to Justice League, his work has often dealt with fantastical settings and larger-than-life characters, something that animation excels at.

Oliva believes that animation allows for a unique form of storytelling that live-action sometimes struggles to achieve. He also noted that while animation was once seen primarily as a medium for children, it has evolved to tell much more mature, complex stories. For Oliva, as long as the story evokes emotion and connection with the audience, the medium—whether live-action or animation—doesn’t matter.

Choreographing Brutal Action Sequences in ‘Twilight of the Gods’

When it comes to action sequences, Jay Oliva’s approach is similar to choreographing a well-rehearsed dance. Every move is carefully planned and executed, ensuring that the flow of the fight scenes feels natural and impactful. For Batman, Oliva kept the moves grounded in real-world martial arts. But with Twilight of the Gods, he allowed himself to lean into the mythical setting, making the action sequences more over-the-top.

The result is a brutal display of power, with Norse heroes taking on gods in spectacular battles. The choreography reflects the sheer brutality of the world, with the raw, frightening power of gods like Thor contrasted against the more refined martial skills of the human heroes.

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What’s Next for Jay Oliva?

While we eagerly await the debut of Twilight of the Gods, Jay Oliva is already hard at work on his next projects. He’s currently working on INFINITY: Paradise Lost, an animated series based on the tabletop game by Corvus Belli, and Cradle, an adaptation of the bestselling book series by Will Wight.

In addition to these exciting projects, Oliva’s studio is also developing several live-action projects, which he hopes to announce soon. And of course, fans can expect more from the Twilight universe, with Season 2 already in the works.

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Conclusion

Jay Oliva’s passion for mythology, storytelling, and animation shines through in Twilight of the Gods. His collaboration with Zack Snyder and Eric Carrasco has resulted in a brutal, emotional, and visually stunning adaptation of Norse mythology that’s sure to captivate audiences when it hits Netflix on September 19th.

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