Everyone loves New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, known for this year’s Oscar-contender “Jojo Rabbit,” Marvel‘s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but also many beloved indie comedies like “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” He’s got the magic touch of being able to tackle scale and scope in a Marvel movie and heart, humor and soul—the perfect combination that everyone wants a piece of. Including, according to THR, Lucasfilm who is evidently courting the filmmaker to direct a “Star Wars” movie.
Beyond his many talents and gifts for marrying comedy, drama, and adventure among other genres, this shouldn’t be a huge surprise given that Waititi is already part of the Lucasfilm family. He directed episodes of the Disney+ show “The Mandalorian” starring Pedro Pascal, as well as voicing one of the GCI characters—the bounty hunter character IG-11.
It’s unknown which “Star Wars” project Waititi is being sought for or if he’s going to be involved something new or possibly the one already being developed by Kevin Feige, with whom he closely worked on ‘Ragnarok’ at Marvel (though that film is years off apparently). That would perhaps make sense, but Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy has already suggested that they have picked—and or are talking to—the next potential “Star Wars” director (for a 2022 release date) and perhaps that could be Waititi?
All of it is unclear. There’s also been talk and speculation about Jon Favreau—the co-creator and co-producer of “The Mandalorian”—as being that next director, but who knows (also chatter about Lucasfilm finally getting a woman to direct a “Star Wars” feature).
Disney and Lucasfilm, the producer of the Star Wars movies, had no comment for the trade, so the rest is purely speculation. But it’s been said that “The Mandalorian” is being used as a kind of incubator testing ground to see who could make a full feature. Deborah Chow, for example, who directed two episodes of ‘Mandalorian’ season one, has been picked to direct the entire “Obi-Wan Kenobi” limited series, so clearly, with the additional consideration of Waititi, that idea seems to be bearing fruit.
Waititi is having a great week. “Jojo Rabbit” just earned six Oscar nominations, including best picture and now he’s wanted for a “Star Wars” film, not bad.
A good bet might be that Waititi won’t be the director of the “Star Wars” movie intended for a Christmas 2022 release. Because he is currently shooting “Next Goal Wins” for Fox Searchlight, another crowd-pleaser that could be an awards contender, and then is set to return to Marvel and write and direct the ‘Thor’ sequel, “Thor: Love & Thunder” which is due in the fall of 2021. Sure, that would give him time to do make a movie and direct another “Star Wars” movie before 2022—I guess, he would have to start immediately—but when would the man write it or rest? This would be three back to back films in a row and that feels very doubtful and wishful thinking, even for the fast-moving Waititi.
Note, Variety recently asked Waititi if he could potentially direct a “Star Wars” movie in the future. “Oh, I don’t know anything about that,” he said. “But ‘Mandalorian’ was my chance to work with some stormtroopers.”
Following the mild disappointment of “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker,” which definitely looks like it’s not going to outgross its predecessor at the box office, Lucasfilm is probably looking for another reset. Could Waititi help provide it? Stay tuned. Update: Taika has responded on Twitter. It seems like a debunk at first, but it’s not quite a denial. This to me seems like a playful, “just a rumor right now, we’ll see.”