Following the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars films are going on a bit of hiatus release wise. That does not mean, however, that development is grinding to a halt.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm is currently courting Taika Waititi to develop a new Star Wars film. Waititi directed the season finale of The Mandalorian as well as providing the voice for the bounty hunting droid, IG-11.
There is no indication how far along talks are, but the film would more than likely be a ways off. Currently, Waititi is enjoying the Oscar nominations for Jojo Rabbit, directing Next Goal Wins, and developing the fourth Thor movie, Thor: Love & Thunder.
One interesting concept is that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is developing a Star Wars film as well. It is unknown at this time if this may be the same project, but considering their success on Thor: Ragnarok, you have to wonder.
The Star Wars brand, while financially successful, has been having numerous issues behind the scenes on its films. Directors have been replaced, departed, and raised numerous other issues since Disney took over the brand. It is being theorized that projects like The Mandalorian may be where directors are now given a trial run. Deborah Chow was the first woman to direct a Star Wars project and she has now been handed the reigns of the Obi-Wan series, so there is some precedent to the thought.
We’ll just have to wait and see if anything comes of this, but it does feel as though a change is coming to the approach to theatrical Star Wars projects.
