It's been a while since Taika Waititi graced the big screen, but the Oscar winner is finally making his return with the dystopian sci-fi adaptation Klara and the Sun, hitting theaters on October 23. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed novel, the film stars Jenna Ortega as Klara, an outdated Artificial Friend who longs to find a home and bring light to a fractured world. The project has already generated buzz, and one of its stars, Natasha Lyonne, is positively glowing about the experience.
In a recent roundtable interview at the Italian Global Series, Lyonne opened up about her role in the film and her long-standing desire to work with Waititi. 'Oh, I love Taika so much,' she said, recalling how she texted him after learning about the project. 'I said, “Hold on a second, that's my wheelhouse.” I love sci-fi, and I love Ishiguro as a writer so much, and I've always been dying to work with Taika. He actually gave me the part! It was amazing!'
Lyonne plays a key role in selling Klara to Josie's family, but she emphasized that being a supporting actor was a welcome change from her usual multitasking. In recent years, she's been busy executive producing shows like Poker Face, Loot, and Russian Doll, where she also served as showrunner. 'I think sometimes I really love being a supporting actor who's just acting, because it's not my job to write that movie, it's not my job to direct that movie, it's not my job to produce that movie,' she explained.
The freedom to focus solely on acting allowed Lyonne to fully immerse herself in the creative process. She compared working with Waititi to collaborating with Poker Face creator Rian Johnson, noting the thrill of making a talented director laugh. 'It feels amazing. Like you feel like you've done a good job,' she said. The experience also led to spontaneous moments on set, like developing her character's wild hairdo, which she described as 'f***ing gangster.'
Lyonne also praised her co-stars, including Amy Adams, Steve Buscemi, and Mia Tharia, who plays Josie. 'Steve Buscemi rolled into town, and we had to go on a double date, which was really funny,' she recalled. The film's themes of humanity, love, and the cost of progress resonated deeply with her. 'It's a really, really very cool movie, and it's a really heavy, wild subject. Sorry, I got lost in it. It's my first time really talking about it, but I love that f***ing movie.'
For fans of Waititi's work, Klara and the Sun marks a return to the director's signature blend of heart and humor, albeit in a more somber sci-fi setting. The film also features a star-studded cast including Rachel House, Aran Murphy, and Sophia Bryant-Taukiri. With its October release date approaching, anticipation is building for what could be one of the year's most thought-provoking blockbusters.
In the meantime, Lyonne continues to juggle multiple projects, from her role in Poker Face to producing The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy. But her time on Klara and the Sun clearly left a lasting impression. 'I really love that f***ing character and that story,' she said, hinting that audiences are in for something special.
Stay tuned for more updates on Klara and the Sun as its release approaches. For now, check out our coverage of why HBO's best thriller 'Industry' keeps getting snubbed by the Emmys and Prime Video's 'Cross' Season 2 dominating streaming charts.
