Report Suggests Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Movie Will Film in LA; Lucasfilm Still Aiming for December 2023 Release
The latest report from Production Weekly suggests that preparation for Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars movie is ramping up. With Kathleen Kennedy recently saying they are aiming for Waititi’s movie to release in December 2023, the expectation is the film would need to begin filming this year.
Per the public information available on the Production Weekly website (hat tip r/StarWarsLeaks), a new Star Wars production is set to move forward in a major capacity. No start window has been definitively listed, but it is being mentioned alongside the likes of Andor and Skeleton Crew, both of which are expected to begin filming in the Fall, with the former specifically beginning filming in November. Andor season 2 filming dates were also confirmed by Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy at Star Wars Celebration.
It should also be noted that Production Weekly’s information is based on tentative dates and is not necessarily a full reflection of when projects will shoot, and it may refer to an earlier developmental phase like pre-production. It does not appear that this untitled production is tied to The Acolyte, which Production Weekly has singled out the show by name before. (That same report pointed out the existence of the Star Wars show codenamed as “Grammar Rodeo”, a show that we now know to be the Jon Watts-overseen Skeleton Crew.)
Bespin Bulletin purchased a copy of the report, which is buried behind a paywall, and the full details reveal that this mystery production is indeed the Star Wars movie from Taika Waititi, and that it will be shooting in Los Angeles at an unspecified point. Depending on when production starts, it is possible that the film could make the December 2023 release date that was originally planned for Rogue Squadron, although Waititi and his crew would have to work quickly, presuming the script (which he co-wrote with Krysty Wilson-Cairns) is ready.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has said that while the December 2023 release date would be ideal, they want to give the cast and crew the time they need to get the movie right. Taika Waititi’s schedule is also quite packed this year, as he’s putting the finishing touches on two films — Thor: Love and Thunder and Next Goal Wins — while also working on the pilot for the Time Bandits remake for Apple TV Plus. The schedule would be quite tight, but given Waititi’s reputation for being efficient, getting the film ready by the very end of next year might be doable.
Aside from Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars film, Rogue Squadron is said to still be in active development, though it has been delayed for unspecified reasons and referred to by Kathleen Kennedy as being “pushed aside”. The Kevin Feige-produced and Michael Waldron-written Star Wars film is currently in the scripting phase, while Rian Johnson’s trilogy is pending based on his availability. The future of Star Wars movies is certainly in a constant state of motion, we will keep you updated as things begin to take clearer shape.
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.
