For the time being, Waititi’s “Star Wars” film (which he was originally announced to be co-writing with “1917” scribe Krysty Wilson-Cairns, in addition to directing) exists in the same nebulous state as other “Star Wars” films that may or may not ever become a reality. It’s a sizable list, as you’re probably aware. That being said, during a recent appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Waititi assured that he’s in no rush to make his Star War:
“Yeah, I’ve been developing that for a few years with them, but I think, you know, 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. So, just going to let it bubble along on the side, it’s exciting.”
Admitting that he, like Clarkson, was a big “Star Wars” fan growing up, Waititi added:
“I want to capture that, you know, that joy and the entertainment of those early ones. Like ‘Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ and all those ones, so I’m trying to figure that out and it’ll happen.”
Watching “Love and Thunder,” you get the sense that Waititi rushed the film without a clear idea of how to tell that particular story and simply rehashed what he’d done before, only sloppier. One suspects that was also the case with “Next Goal Wins,” a ’90s sports comedy throwback that /Film’s Ben Pearson felt “totally whiffs when it comes to capturing an essential part of what makes those types of films work.” As such, it’s encouraging to hear Waititi’s taking his time with his “Star Wars” film and really trying to nail down what it is about the movie (and “Star Wars” in general) that speaks to him first.