Film director Taika Waititi has announced that he will no longer be working on a highly anticipated Star Wars movie, a project initially revealed by Disney back in 2020. In a recent interview with Inverse, Waititi, who is currently promoting his upcoming film “Klara and the Sun,” confirmed the news and referred to the project as being “on ice.”
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The 51-year-old director revealed that he and fellow screenwriter Tony McNamara, who has collaborated with him on the untitled Star Wars script, have decided to pause development on the film. Both Waititi and McNamara have been involved in the movie since its inception, with updates first emerging during the Star Wars Celebration in April 2025. During the event, Lucasfilm announced that the duo was actively working on the screenplay, but the project has since hit an unforeseen snag.
In his discussion, Waititi conveyed the frustrations of a creative process, stating, “I hate to break this to you, but we’re actually going to put it on ice and we’re working on a different thing together.” The director’s remarks imply that while the film is not dead, it is certainly not moving forward at this time. He humorously noted at one point, “Ice ages do come to an end — who knows?” suggesting a flickering hope for the future.
Despite the disappointment for fans eager to see Waititi’s vision of the Star Wars universe, he remains enthusiastic about other projects he has in the pipeline. The director mentioned that he is simultaneously developing four other films, underscoring a busy schedule ahead. His latest project, “Klara and the Sun,” is set to hit cinemas on 23 October, featuring Jenna Ortega as an intelligent companion android.
Waititi captured audiences previously with his unique style in directing various major films, including “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Next Goal Wins.” His involvement in the Star Wars franchise dates back to his work on Disney+’s “The Mandalorian,” where he both directed an episode and lent his voice to the droid character IG-11. This prior experience broadened his connection to the franchise and sparked excitement around his initial announcement regarding the new Star Wars film.
Upon receiving the disappointing news, fans may take solace in the fact that the Star Wars universe continues to expand, albeit through different avenues. Disney has a line-up of upcoming projects, including “Star Wars: Starfighter,” set to release in May 2027 and featuring Ryan Gosling in a prominent role. Additionally, plans for a new trilogy are underway, with acclaimed director Jon Watts at the helm, ensuring that the beloved franchise remains vibrant in theatres.
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, had previously expressed confidence in Waititi’s potential for the Star Wars project, declaring that the director will be ready to take on the film when he feels he can devote the necessary time. “Taika is on Taika time… I’ve just continually said to him, look, when you feel that you’re ready and can really devote the time, we’re going to do it,” she stated during Star Wars Celebration.
The shifting landscape of cinematic storytelling places Waititi amidst a wealth of creative opportunities in various genres. Deadline previously reported that he is in the process of directing adaptations of graphic novels and literature, including the acclaimed “The Incal” and “Barn 8.” Such projects suggest that Waititi’s artistic versatility keeps him in demand across the film industry.
As Waititi shifts his focus, the anticipation remains high for both his new projects and the overarching Star Wars narrative. With a plethora of films on the horizon, fans will have a myriad of stories to explore, as they await a potential collaboration between Taika Waititi and the Star Wars universe in the future.