Taika Waititi Not Rushing His ‘Star Wars’ Film, Hopes To Achieve Joy of Original Trilogy
Taika Waititi recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss the release of his upcoming film, Next Goal Wins, and as with any person even tangentially related to Star Wars (and especially someone committed to writing and directing a film), Clarkson snuck in a question about the status of his Star Wars film just before the end of his interview. Waititi reiterated what was previously reported on by Business Insider a couple of weeks ago:
“I’ve been developing [the Star Wars film] for a few years, but I think with any film, but that one in particular, it’s something I’d really like to get right so I don’t want to rush it. It’s going to bubble along on the side.
I wanna capture that joy and entertainment of those early ones like The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and all those ones, so I’m trying to figure that out. It’ll happen.”
There’s not much to go on here, but I am guessing that his reference to the original trilogy translates to a story that is lighter or more carefree, without the added lore and worldbuilding that informed the institutional downfall of the Jedi and Anakin’s descent into darkness that we witness in the prequel trilogy. A film, perhaps, that is not without emotion or heavy subject matter, but can stand alone as a satisfyingly encapsulated adventure. Though, it’s a generic comment, so who really knows.
Regardless of where you stand with the sequel trilogy, most will agree that the schedules for those films were rushed, and perhaps, suffered some consequences creatively. With that in mind, it’s comforting to hear that Waititi is taking his time with the script, which will hopefully lead to a polished and thoughtfully crafted result. However, given Waititi’s busy schedule, this film is starting to fade further and further into the horizon.
In his interview with Business Insider, Waititi reiterated he’s been writing the movie (“It’s still marinating. I’ve been writing it,” he said), but confirmed it will not be his next project. Instead, his next effort will be directing Klara and the Sun, the adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s New York Times best-selling novel. He also mentioned he’s writing The Incal, the adaptation of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s graphic novel. There was no mention of Akira, another film he’s signed onto. Combined, he estimated those three titles would take up “six, seven years” of his life, though wouldn’t confirm the order in which he’ll make them.
Keep up-to-date with the latest Star Wars film news, including Daisy Ridley’s recent comments on the story for her upcoming movie, a film that may actually see theaters in the near future.
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
