Taika Waititijust sent the film world into a tailspin with the revelation thathe’s bringing Judge Dredd back to the silver screenwith the help ofDrew Pearce(Iron Man 3,The Fall Guy).Waititi is apparently a fan of the hard-edged lawman, and his satirical sensibilities would make a perfect fit for the vibe of the original Judge Dredd comics. However, the news raises a question:what’s going to happen to his Star Wars movie?Waititi’s long been attached to direct a standalone Star Wars film, with Lucasfilm headKathleen Kennedyproviding a brief update at this year’s Star Wars Celebration. “Taika is on Taika time…“Kennedy said, saying she wasn’t going to rush Waittiti. “Taika Time” or not, the Judge Dredd news means thatWaititi’s Star Wars movie might have hit a massive roadblock.
Taika Waititi Is Fast-Tracking ‘Judge Dredd’, Meaning That His ‘Star Wars’ Project Will Be on the Back Burner
The Judge Dredd film is slated to take up a great deal of Taika Waititi’s time, asThe Hollywood Reportersays thatstudios are scrambling to hop on board the Waititi/Pearce package. What’s more, there’s plans for the new Judge Dredd to launch an entire franchise in the vein of Marvel Studios or DC Studios (and unlike other attmepts at a cinematic franchise, the Judge Dredd comics have enough characters and concepts to pull it off).That means his Star Wars project could hit the backburner, but it wouldn’t be the first time that Waititi’s been attached to a project that didn’t go forward. He departed a live-action adaptation ofAkira, which was one of the final nails in the coffin for Warner Bros.' attempts to bring the post-apocalyptic anime to life. Waititi also wanted to do an animated version of Flash Gordon, though producerGeorge Nolfirecently cast doubton it ever coming to the big screen.
These projects do showcase thatWaititi loves comic books.Akira, Flash GordonandJudge Dreddall started out as comics, and they do stray off the beaten path which matches Waititi’s sensibilities. WhenThor: Love and Thunderwas announced, Waititi even said that he developed the film based on his love forJason Aaron’sThorrun at Marvel.Aaron even served as a consultant on the film, even having conversations with Waititi during filming. Based on this, it feels like Waititi is probably going to put all his energy into bringing Judge Dredd to life, and Star Wars will just have to wait.
“He’s So Busy”: Lucasfilm Still Hasn’t Gotten a Complete Script for Taika Waititi’s Star Wars Film
Kathleen Kennedy did say she loved the first act.
Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Movie Could Go the Way of Other Projects
Taika Waititi is hardly the first filmmaker to see a Star Wars project stall out, asmany attempts to expand the franchise have fallen by the wayside. FromPatty Jenkins’Rogue SquadrontoRian Johnson’s planned Star Wars trilogy, fans have come to expect whenever a Star Wars movie is announced that it has a chance to never see the light of day. It hasn’t helped that other filmmakers, includingColin TrevorrowandJosh Trank, were booted from their planned Star Wars films. Currently, Lucasfilm is sticking to sure bets withThe Mandalorian and Grogu—which is piggybacking off the success ofThe Mandalorian —andStar Wars: Starfighter,helmed byShawn Levy— who’s delivered blockbuster hits includingFree GuyandDeadpool & Wolverine.
There might be hope on the horizon, though, as Kathleen Kennedy hinted thatshe’s waiting until Waititi is done writing the script to his Star Wars film: “I’ve just continually said to him, ‘Look, when you feel that you’re ready and you may really devote the time, we’re going to do it. We’ll be waiting…’ I’m just hoping we get there. That will be a great Star Wars movie.” Maybe Waititi will be able to bring his vision for Star Wars to the silver screen, but the Judge Dredd news has thrown his status in a galaxy far, far away into question.
Judge Dredd
