Taika Waititi's Star Wars Script Aims to Recapture Original Trilogy...

After years of development uncertainty, Taika Waititi has provided a promising update on his long-gestating Star Wars film. The director, known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do in the Shadows, has confirmed his script is actively designed to recapture the unique sense of fun that defined the franchise's original trilogy.

Waititi's journey with the galaxy far, far away has been marked by an on-again, off-again production schedule. His project has faced significant delays, largely due to the director's demanding workload and the mixed reception to his most recent Marvel project, Thor: Love and Thunder. Despite these challenges, the film remains a point of interest for fans and industry insiders alike.

Waititi's creative approach is rooted in nostalgia for the original George Lucas films. He aims to balance the high-stakes drama of the Star Wars saga with the lighthearted adventure that made the series a cultural phenomenon.

I think you've seen it before but I'm just trying to sort of go back and harness a little bit more of the fun from the original films, which is what I remember.

The filmmaker elaborated on this philosophy, noting that the original films successfully blended serious themes with moments of levity. This balance is what he intends to bring back to the screen.

The stakes were very high, there were serious things going on but also there was a lot of fun to be had in those films. That's what I was trying to bring back.

The development timeline for Waititi's Star Wars movie has been complex. The director first became involved with the project in 2020, but progress has been slow due to his extensive commitments to other films.

In 2023, Waititi explained that the delay was a result of his packed schedule. He indicated that he would not be able to start work on the Star Wars film until he had completed four other scripts he was involved with at the time.

His workload extends even further into the future. The director has stated that he does not expect to direct another Thor project for Marvel, as he anticipates being busy for another six to seven years with other commitments.

Despite the delays, there is official optimism from Lucasfilm. Outgoing studio head Kathleen Kennedy recently provided an update on the project's status, offering a more positive outlook than for other Star Wars films in development.

Kennedy described Waititi's take on the franchise as "somewhat alive." This description is notably more promising than the updates for several other Star Wars movie projects that she did not mention at all, suggesting the film holds a unique position in the studio's pipeline.

While many pitches for new Star Wars films have been scrapped this decade, only two have been definitively confirmed for release:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu - Launching in theaters on May 22
• Star Wars: Starfighter - Starring Ryan Gosling, arriving May 28, 2027

The future of Taika Waititi's Star Wars film remains tied to his complex schedule, but the creative vision is clear. The director is committed to delivering a story that honors the spirit of the original trilogy while injecting his signature comedic style.

With Kathleen Kennedy's recent confirmation that the project is still active, fans have a renewed reason to be optimistic. As the Star Wars universe continues to expand on both the big and small screens, Waititi's film represents a potential return to the adventurous tone that first captivated audiences decades ago.