It's been a rough stretch for Taika Waititi, and his latest project just hit another snag. The Oscar-winning filmmaker's upcoming family fantasy Fing! has lost its UK and Ireland distributor after serious allegations surfaced against author and screenwriter David Walliams. While the film's US release remains intact, the controversy has thrown its international rollout into uncertainty.
Sky, which had been set to release the movie as one of its originals, confirmed it is pulling out of the distribution deal. A spokesperson said the allegations against Walliams are "extremely serious" and that the company has notified producers of its intention to exit as the UK and Ireland licensee. The decision follows a joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News that reported allegations of inappropriate behavior involving teenage girls and young women.
Walliams, a well-known British entertainer thanks to Little Britain and his stint as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, has been accused of grooming teenage girls and sexually harassing young women. The allegations, which he has not been criminally charged with, reportedly involve interactions with fans—some as young as 15—as well as women he met professionally. He recently lost a legal battle to keep his name out of the press in connection with these claims.
Producers of Fing! have responded swiftly. In a statement to Variety, they said they take the allegations seriously and have removed Walliams' cameo from the film. He will also have no involvement in the movie's release or promotion. The film, based on Walliams' bestselling children's book, stars Waititi alongside Mia Wasikowska and Iona Bell.
Despite the UK setback, Fing! is still scheduled for a US theatrical release through Angel Studios on January 14, 2027. Whether it will find a new distributor in the UK and Ireland remains to be seen. For now, fans of Waititi—who has had a string of mixed fortunes lately, including his last film's disappointing box office run—will have to wait and see how this unfolds.
This isn't the first time a project has been caught in the crossfire of a celebrity scandal, and it likely won't be the last. The entertainment industry has become increasingly quick to distance itself from figures facing serious allegations, especially when younger fans are involved. For a family-friendly film like Fing!, the association with Walliams has proven particularly damaging.
As for Waititi, he's no stranger to fantasy—he's directed some of the genre's most beloved entries, from Thor: Ragnarok to Jojo Rabbit. His fans might find some comfort in the upcoming fantasy TV slate, which promises plenty of escapism. But for now, the fate of Fing! in the UK hangs in the balance.
We'll keep you updated as more news emerges. In the meantime, if you're looking for something to watch, check out our list of fantasy gems on Prime Video or dive into low fantasy books that outshine Harry Potter.
