Director Taika Waititi provided fresh insights into his long-in-development Star Wars movie during an interview at the Sundance Film Festival. He emphasized recapturing the fun of the original trilogy while making the project distinct. Waititi also expressed excitement for Chris Hemsworth's return as Thor in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie has been in development since 2020, when Disney and Lucasfilm announced that the Jojo Rabbit Oscar winner would direct a new film in the franchise, written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Despite a lack of major updates over the past six years, interest revived recently when former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy described the project as 'still somewhat alive' upon her exit from the company.
Speaking at the Variety Studio presented by Audible during the Sundance Film Festival premiere of his new family adventure Fing!, Waititi outlined his vision for the film. 'I’m just trying to go back and harness a little bit more of the fun from the original films, which is what I remember [from] them,' he said. He added, 'The stakes are very high, and there’s serious things going on, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had in those films. That’s what I was trying to bring back.' Waititi noted that to fit into the crowded Star Wars universe, his project would need to be 'a little different and a little bit more its own thing,' operating in a somewhat separate world.
Kennedy confirmed that Waititi has turned in a script, calling it 'hilarious and great,' though she emphasized it's not solely her decision, especially as she departs Lucasfilm. The studio is now led by co-presidents Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, who will determine if the film aligns with the franchise's new direction. Kennedy had previously joked at last year's Star Wars Celebration that Waititi was working on 'Taika time,' acknowledging the slow progress.
At Sundance, Waititi promoted Fing!, directed by Jeffrey Walker and based on a children's book. The film stars Iona Bell, Mia Wasikowska, and Blake Harrison, with Waititi playing the villain—a role he enjoyed tapping into, as 'it was all on the page.' He named Darth Vader as one of his favorite villains, praising how the character embodies 'a child’s biggest nightmare... that your parent will turn on you.'
Waititi also touched on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, expressing enthusiasm for Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers. Having helmed two Thor films with Chris Hemsworth, he said, 'I can’t wait to see these ‘Avengers’ movies... I’m good friends with the Russos and will love to see what they’re doing.' The project's future remains uncertain, potentially following other Star Wars films like Shawn Levy’s Starfighter and a possible Simon Kinberg trilogy featuring Daisy Ridley as Rey, with release no earlier than 2029.
