Star Wars Day 2020: Taika Waititi is the best director Disney could have hired for its new film
'Star Wars' is a franchise that's mired deep in its history, and it boasts of an iconic one at that. However, that history may also be the one thing holding it back.
For years, the entire franchise has revolved around the Skywalker saga - even the spin-off movies and shows have revolved around that central storyline. With 'The Rise of Skywalker' having brought that saga to a close, it's time for the franchise to finally move forward into unexplored territory and Taika Waititi being chosen to helm the upcoming, untitled new project might be just the thing to do it.
Waititi will be joined by Academy Award nominee Krysty Wilson-Cains, whose screenplay for '1917' was up against Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' at the Academy Awards. The two will co-write the script, with Waititi to direct. It's not yet been announced what part of the 'Star Wars' universe it will cover and that is so far the most exciting thing about the announcement.
Waititi's introduction to the 'Star Wars' universe was his involvement with 'The Mandalorian,' where he both directed episodes as well as provided the voice for the droid bounty hunter IG-11. 'The Mandalorian' has been praised for its high-quality storytelling and for how much it felt like 'Star Wars' at its best. It's important to note, however, that 'The Mandalorian' was one of the very few 'Star Wars' series that had little to do with the Skywalker saga. It may have been set before 'The Force Awakens,' putting it technically into that long era, as well as having a few connections and references to the movies but for all intents and purposes, 'The Mandalorian' was entirely its own thing.
Along with the other directors and creators involved with 'The Mandalorian,' Waititi was an important part of expanding the 'Star Wars' focus in a way that has rarely been seen outside of the less popular video games, comics and novels. He's shown his love for the franchise and his ability to bring his own signature style to it without veering too far away from what makes 'Star Wars' so enjoyable.
He's already proven that he can breathe new life into a franchise in danger of waning - 'Thor: Ragnorak' brought a whole new energy to a corner of the Marvel Universe that most fans were just about ready to let go of. This renewed interest in Thor (Chris Hemsworth) allowed the character to gain a fourth film - the only Marvel character to get that opportunity, beating out even 'Iron Man.'
It's past time for life in a galaxy far, far away to cover brand new ground and with this latest announcement about the mysterious, upcoming film, we may finally get that chance.