For years, fans have wondered if Taika Waititi would ever bring his unique brand of humor and heart to a galaxy far, far away. That question now has a definitive answer—and it's not the one many were hoping for. In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning filmmaker confirmed that his long-gestating Star Wars project has been officially shelved, at least for the foreseeable future.
Waititi, who first signed on to direct and co-write a Star Wars movie back in 2020, revealed that he and screenwriter Tony McNamara have shifted their focus to a different collaboration. Speaking with Inverse while promoting his upcoming film Klara and the Sun, Waititi didn't mince words: "I hate to break this to you, but we're going to actually put it on ice, and we're working on a different thing together."
When pressed for more details, the director's response was telling. After a quick consult with his publicist, he admitted, "Well, there's your answer. I don't even know how to dress it up or make it even vague." He went on to describe the project as "very iced," explaining that his plate is already full with several other movies vying for his attention. However, he left a sliver of hope for fans, adding, "Ice ages do come to an end. Who knows?"
A Long and Winding Development
The journey of Waititi's Star Wars film has been anything but smooth. Initially announced in May 2020, the project was meant to recapture the adventurous spirit and playful tone of George Lucas's original trilogy. Waititi was set to co-write the script with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, known for 1917, and later brought McNamara (of Poor Things fame) into the fold. Over the years, updates were sporadic, and the film repeatedly slipped down Lucasfilm's priority list.
As recently as January 2026, Kathleen Kennedy, then president of Lucasfilm, suggested the movie was still alive, praising the screenplay Waititi had delivered. Waititi himself had previously teased his vision, saying, "The stakes are very high, and there's serious things going on, but there's also a lot of fun to be had in those films. That's what I was trying to bring back."
What's Next for Waititi and Star Wars?
Waititi is no stranger to the franchise, having directed an episode of The Mandalorian and voiced the beloved bounty-hunting droid IG-11. His other directorial credits include Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and Thor: Love and Thunder. While his Star Wars movie may be on hold, the franchise itself continues to expand on the big screen. Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, is slated for a 2027 release.
For now, fans of both Waititi and Star Wars will have to wait and see if the Force brings this project back. In the meantime, there's plenty of other entertainment to keep an eye on, from the upcoming third season of Fallout to the long-awaited Triple Frontier sequel. And for those who can't get enough of the galaxy far, far away, other animated adventures continue to expand the universe.
Stay tuned for more updates on all things Star Wars as they develop.
