Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Mystery Movie Will be the First Theatrical Release Since ‘The Rise of Skywalker’
Since Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, it has been unclear what the direction of Star Wars movies would be. Lucasfilm has been gearing more toward television with a ton of success on Disney+ with shows like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy provides an update on the Star Wars movie slate and says the next movie will be coming from Taika Waititi.
Taika Waititi is the latest movie director to join ‘Star Wars’
Waititi is one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood right now. He first emerged onto the scene with smaller movies such as The Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows. Then, he directed Thor: Ragnarok for Marvel Studios and became incredibly popular. His Marvel film was such a success that he is returning for Thor: Love and Thunder.
It was announced in 2020 that Waititi would be directing a mystery Star Wars movie. Waititi directed the season 1 finale of The Mandalorian and also provided the voice for the droid IG-11. There isn’t a lot of information on Waititi’s Star Wars movie, but it is being written by 1917 writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
Kathleen Kennedy says Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ movie is next on the table
Vanity Fair recently did a piece on Star Wars, highlighting the many television shows that Star Wars is currently working on. At the end of the article, Kennedy discusses the movie projects that are currently being developed. Kennedy told Vanity Fair “We have a road map.”
During this interview, she said that Waititi’s Star Wars movie would most likely be next. Rogue Squadron from Patty Jenkins was set to come first, but Kennedy said that the project is “further off” after the project was delayed. She also spoke about the movie being produced by Marvel boss Kevin Feige, saying nothing has been confirmed yet.
I would love to see what movie he might come up with,” Kennedy said. “But right now, no, there isn’t anything specifically
This statement from Kennedy does contradict recent comments made by Doctor Strange 2 writer Michael Waldron who recently said that he is working on Feige’s movie. While Waititi is working on this movie, it could be a while before it comes out. Kennedy emphasized that Star Wars projects are multi-year outings that take time to develop.
“Anyone who comes into the Star Wars universe needs to know that it’s a three-, four-, five-year commitment,” Kennedy explained. “That’s what it takes. You can’t step in for a year and shoot something and then walk away…. It requires that kind of nurturing.”
‘Star Wars’ has shifted from movies to television
While the Vanity Fair piece did discuss the upcoming movies, Star Wars seems to be more focused on their television projects right now. The next TV show coming to Disney+ is Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is bringing back Ewan McGregor as the titular character.
Meanwhile, The Mandalorian season 3 is on the way along with Ahsoka, a new show featuring Rosario Dawson who debuted as the character in The Mandalorian season 2. There is also The Acolyte, which reportedly takes place 100 years before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on Disney+ on May 27.
