Taika Waititi is hoping to boldly go where no man has gone before with the Star Wars franchise.
In an interview with Total Film, Waititi revealed that he is hoping his untitled Star Wars film will expand the galaxy far, far away we’re familiar with and introduce new places and characters. Here’s his full quote:
“Look, I think for the Star Wars universe to expand, it has to expand. I don’t think that I’m any use in the Star Wars universe making a film where everyone’s like, ‘Oh great, well that’s the blueprints to the Millennium Falcon, ah that’s Chewbacca’s grandmother.’ That all stands alone, that’s great, though I would like to take something new and create some new characters and just expand the world, otherwise it feels like it’s a very small story.”
Yes, please. This will surely make a lot of Star Wars fans who are tired of the franchise retreading the same ground very happy. However, Waititi assured fans in a different interview (this one over at Screen Rant) that his film will still feel like a Star Wars film. Here’s what he had to say about developing the film’s script:
“I’m still writing. I’m still coming up with the ideas and storylining it and just wanted to make sure that it feels like a Star Wars film. Because, I could say, ‘Oh yeah, we’ll just write any old thing and set in space and then put Star Wars on the front.’ But it wouldn’t be a Star Wars film without certain elements and a certain treatment, so I’ve just got to make sure that it stays within that wheelhouse.”
Waititi is speaking my language. Everything he has said above is exactly what I want from a Star Wars movie that is not tied to the Skywalker Saga. Give me something in the vein of Rogue One and I’ll be very excited to see this in theaters.
Waititi’s untitled Star Wars film doesn’t have an exact release date at this time, but Lucasfilm is targeting a late 2023 release.
What are your thoughts on what Taika Waititi had to say about his Star Wars film? Do you think he can deliver the fans something unique and special that still feels like a Star Wars film? Let’s discuss down in the comments!