Taika Waititi, known for directing Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, has revealed that his upcoming Star Wars script is intended to bring back the sense of fun that characterized the franchise’s original trilogy. The director’s involvement with this Star Wars project, ongoing since at least 2020, has faced delays partly due to his busy schedule and mixed reactions to his recent Marvel work.
Despite lingering questions about the film’s progress, Lucasfilm’s outgoing president Kathleen Kennedy recently described Waititi’s project as still “somewhat alive,” offering a more hopeful sign compared to other Star Wars movies that haven’t been publicly acknowledged.
When asked about the tone of his script, Waititi emphasized his desire to recapture the entertaining and high-stakes feeling of the earliest Star Wars films, blending serious story elements with humor.
“I think you’ve seen it before but I’m just trying to sort of go back and harness a little bit more of the fun from the original films,”
Waititi told Variety, recalling the original trilogy’s balance of tension and amusement.
“The stakes were very high, there were serious things going on but also there was a lot fun to be had in those films. That’s what I was trying to bring back.”
Delays and Challenges Surrounding Waititi’s Star Wars Project
Waititi previously explained in 2023 that the extended wait for his Star Wars movie is due to his packed schedule, noting that he plans to complete four other scripts before focusing on this film. His busy commitments also led him to step back from directing any further Thor projects, anticipating a workload that could span another six to seven years.
Lucasfilm’s recent slate has seen multiple Star Wars movie ideas come and go, with only a few firmly confirmed. The popular series The Mandalorian and its companion story featuring Grogu are releasing in theaters on May 22, while the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter is slated for a May 28, 2027 premiere.
Implications for the Star Wars Franchise and Future Expectations
Taika Waititi’s efforts to infuse his Star Wars film with humor and strong emotional stakes could influence the direction future installments take, offering a contrast to some of the franchise’s darker or more serious projects. With Kathleen Kennedy’s acknowledgment that the script remains in active development, fans and industry observers will be watching to see if Waititi’s vision can break through amid the franchise’s complex production landscape.
Given his proven track record with comedy and blockbuster franchises, Waititi’s take on Star Wars may inject a fresh energy that recalls the original films’ appeal while updating the saga for new audiences.
Taika Waititi says his #StarWars movie in development at Lucasfilm will “harness a little more of the fun from the original films.”
“The stakes are very high, and there are serious things going on, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had.”
Waititi is promoting his new family… pic.twitter.com/Akli1pSo2t
— Variety (@Variety) January 24, 2026
